Chapter 15

A hunter going hunting...

"Bella? Are you really going to wear this? asks Edward.

For what ? you do not like ? I answer him maliciously.

Yes, but you might get cold. There really aren't a lot of fabrics on this skirt. »

I giggle. His gaze is riveted on the hem of my skirt. I'm sure if he could blush, he'd be tomato red.

"I really like this skirt," I say, lifting Edward's chin. I feel beautiful in it. You're not going to try to stop me from wearing what I want, are you, sweetheart?

You… You can put anything you want… he stutters, looking taken aback.

Oh ! Is it because of the nickname I gave him? I chuckle as I see him casually tugging at the bottom of my skirt while trying to hide his sulky pout. It is with a scowl that he takes my school bag and escorts me to his car.

Obviously, our arrival did not go unnoticed and I felt the eyes of the students fixed on us. Edward has his arm around my shoulders and I feel slight vibrations coming from him. Wait… is he growling there?! I look at him, surprised. His air is even darker than when we left the house. I imagine he must not be hearing very pleasant things.

I have to distract him. I stop, turn to him and kiss his cheek. I guess it works because his frown disappears instantly. I then take her hand and wish her a good morning. As if it was done on purpose, and knowing Alice it probably was, the mischievous little elf stands in front of us and says:

"Well, finally! It took you two a long time to declare yourselves.

Alice, he begins before being interrupted.

Bella I love your skirt.

Thank you Alice, that reassures me, I answer. Edward wasn't quite okay with me putting it on.

For what ? she asks with a smirk.

Not enough fabric.

No dear, Alice said shaking her index finger, the only reason is that he doesn't want other men looking at your pretty legs.

Alice, threaten Edward.

Don't worry, I answer. He said I could wear whatever I wanted.

Well…he hesitates.

Is that what you said to me earlier, sweetheart? I ask looking at him under my eyelashes.

I… Uh… I… Yes, he stammered, pinching his nose. »

Oh oh ! The return of the stutter… He must be really disturbed by his little nickname. Out of the corner of my eye I see Alice holding back her laughter.

"We can go shopping during the week then," she says.

Alice… my wallet has a bottom, unlike yours.

Take this as a gift of apology for all those times I haven't been a friend.

Alright, I said, laying down my arms. But I have a specific list of things I want to buy.

It's ok, she nods. We'll go to Victoria's Secret first.

Great ! »

I smile, give a frozen Edward another kiss on the cheek, and walk back to my class with Alice. She chuckles shaking her head.

"Poor thing…he's going to suffer if we start teaming up.

My goal is not that he suffers, but on the contrary, he appreciates without creating a blockage, I answer him with a sigh.

It's going to be hard work...

I know, but he'll get used to it. The skirt is just the beginning. »

She turns to me, raising an eyebrow.

"I know from my visions that he's going to want to control a lot of stuff around me.

Different times, different customs, Alice shrugs. Jasper is sometimes even worse than Edward. I think he must forget from time to time that I am a vampire.

You have the physique of a porcelain doll and the destructive power of a tank in the presence of sales. We can't blame him for sometimes forgetting your nature.

Are you going to throw it all away? I mean… When does he go into caveman mode? »

I sneer, "I hope he goes into 'caveman' mode." »

Alice smiles at me, but I sense the matter is serious.

"It will be difficult for him not to have total control," continues Alice. He is used to anticipating everything thanks to his gift.

I do not intend to oppose everything, I answer, just the excessive. And I'll let him handle my safety without complaining in the event of immediate danger.

It's an acceptable compromise, Alice replies, nodding. But it will always be difficult to convince him. He is stubborn.

I too am stubborn, I reply, but not obtuse… It is sometimes necessary to step back to jump better.

Grant him once to win the next time? Mmmm, that might work! »

The literature class passed without major problems, but I occasionally felt a Frisian that ran through my spine. My discomfort grew over the hour and I became certain that I was watched, but not in a healthy way. I didn't dare turn around so as not to stir up the culprit, put away my things and left quickly after telling Alice that I'd meet her at the self-service later.

Jasper of course sensed my discomfort and asked me if I was very angry with him, mistaking where my emotions came from. I was explaining the situation to him and he told me that humans don't listen enough to their instincts. He advised me to flee to a safe place if the discomfort grew suddenly. I nodded and the morning passed slowly. My discomfort persisted, but steadily increased, especially in the hallways.

"Bonus Quest: Find the name of the person causing your discomfort… Reward: Crossing a wall… Penalty: A severe headache… Duration: Day… Game Creator Tip: Keeping calm always helps . »

I was starting to think I was getting paranoid, because as soon as I turned my head in the direction of the wave of discomfort, I couldn't see anything alarming, but the game window confirmed to me that there was indeed a issue. With the stress, I had emptied my water bottle and I decided to both empty my bladder and fill my bottle before going to eat. I went into the bathroom, but when I got out, I felt my anxiety suddenly increase.

Taking Jasper's advice, I started running towards the dining hall, or so I thought, but I still had a poor sense of direction and ended up in a dark, dead-end hallway. I turned but a cloth was placed over my head, my bag ripped off. I heard a door open and I was pushed to the ground. Damn rotten dexterity! When I get rid of the laundry, I am in a narrow and dark place. I feel cleaning products and wooden handles close to my hand. Thin ! I was dumped in a closet! Obviously, the door is closed, more exactly, there is no handle inside the closet. On the other hand, I find with relief, a switch.

I think for a few minutes, analyzing what could help me get out of this situation, saving for later my anger against the stranger, who locked me there. I find a tool box, pull out a ruler and begin to pass it between the plinth and the door, to push back the bolt, when the door opens suddenly, pushing me back to the ground, smashing my forehead.

"Ouch! I scream, rubbing my forehead, as Emmett crouches down and profusely apologizes.

Emmett? What are you doing here ? I ask.

I was the only one in the building with Rose. Alice saw you were in trouble, but she was stuck with the others because of the sun rising for noon time. How's your head?

Can be OK. You live up to your nickname, Muscleman, I answer.

muscleman?! he said, raising an eyebrow.

That's the nickname I gave you when I first saw you. »

He smiled at me, then his gaze turned serious. He asks me :

"Do you know who locked you in there?"

No, I didn't have time to see anything, they put this towel on my head. »

He picks it up, sniffs it.

"Mmmm you smell really good Bella."

Uh… thanks… I guess…

Your smell is mixed with another. I've felt it before but I don't know who it is. Baby ?

What ?! an icy voice exclaims from the hallway. »

Great, Rosalie will probably hate me even more now that she knows her man likes my smell…

"Do you know that smell?

Why would I know the smell of high school humans?!

If it's to show your bad mood, you can get out, I hear a velvety voice say coldly in the hallway. Thanks Emmett.

Please, he replies, getting up.

Next time try not to give him a concussion, Edward adds sarcastically.

It's okay, I reassure him. Emmett helped me. Please don't blame him.

So you don't know who locked you up there?

No. Alice didn't see anything?

She was concerned that Jasper hadn't arrived in the building yet before the sun broke through the clouds. She saw you too late, when you landed in the closet. Where's the fabric? »

Emmett hands it to him and he sniffs it. His eyes went black in an instant. I imagine inhaling my scent full force must be difficult, but before I pull the towel away from him, I hear him hiss:

"She's going to pay..."

I have the chills. His gaze is scary, but I gather my courage and place my palms on his cool cheeks.

" My heart ! You're scaring me. »

My call spells him out of his rage and his eyes take on a lighter color, but still darker than the one he had this morning when he left for high school. He takes one of my hands, leaves a kiss and apologizes:

" Forgive me my love. I forget the priorities. Let's get out of this cubbyhole and get something to eat. »

He helped me up and held my hand firmly in his. We pass Alice and Jasper who hands me a hamburger wrapped in paper. I raise a questioning eyebrow.

"I know you would prefer vegetables, but since you were in shock, I preferred to get you a heartier meal," Alice explains. »

I take the package and we go out to sit on one of the flowerbeds between the school and the forest. I unwrap my sandwich and bite into it without much enthusiasm. But Alice was right, I wouldn't have been satisfied with just the vegetables today. My anger starts to rise. Jasper gives me a pointed look and Edward apologizes again.

"Edward, it's not you I'm mad at. Can you tell me who did this to me?

You don't have to worry about it, I'll take care of it. »

I put the burger down, take a deep breath, and say in a low tone.

" I do not think so, no ! Not without my consent.

Bella, you don't need to worry. I'll take care of her and she won't hurt you anymore.

I don't care about her, whoever she is! I finally say, my voice gradually rising in treble.

She won't get away with it, Edward asserts, definitely not understanding what I mean.

I know… but that's not the point. »

He looks confused, so I enlighten him:

"That you take care of my safety, it reassures me. I even find it a little sexy to tell you the truth. »

I hear Emmett whistle.

"But when it comes to something that concerns me, I want to be taken into confidence. I won't stop you from taking action to take care of me, but don't forget that I am your companion, not your daughter. I am your equal and I want to be treated as such. »

I see him widen his eyes, his mouth open. He remains frozen for a moment, seeming to whisper something in a low voice. I approach and I hear "companion". I wrap my arms around his neck and whisper:

"Yes, I am your mate, Edward. »

The look he gives me then is filled with joy and relief. I feel a little overwhelmed by all these emotions. Jasper coughs a little. Poor guy, he must not be having a good time. Edward pulls himself together and nods.

"You're right, I won't do anything without telling you.

GOOD ! I say relaxing my shoulders. So, now that we're on the same wavelength. Tell me who did this to me!

Lauren Mallaury…

This jerk! I spit. »

Lauren had made it clear to me during these few weeks of solitude that I was not welcome at her table to eat and I knew that she was talking about me behind my back, as she already did with Bella. Unlike Jessica, who found favor in my eyes, Lauren was the same, if not worse, than she was in Twilight.

I then asked Edward what he intended to do. He gave his signature crooked smile, but a black flame shone in his eyes.

"I'm going hunting," he replies. »

"Quest validated… A reward will be granted to you. »

"Bonus quest (Return to sender): Give Lauren back her own coin without hurting her and without leaving a trace… Reward: a baseball… Penalty: a sermon from your father… duration: two days. »