I do not own nor do I make profit off of Twilight. All rights belong to it's author Stephanie Meyer.
Hello...it's me.
Guests?
Alice stands in the doorway leading to the living room unmoving. Her eyes stare into mine but there's something else and it looks as if she could she'd cry. Rose stands up from her spot on the couch,
"I'll leave the two of you to talk." She walks to Alice, putting her hand on her shoulder before exiting out of the living room leaving just Alice and I. I smile, but she doesn't give me one back. I've never seen Alice so...still.
"Are you okay?" Alice looks down at her hands as if trying to find something to do with them.
"I.." She says after a second, her voice cracking. She closes her eyes and suddenly before I can react Alice is next to me, her arms thrown around me, hugging me tight.
"Alice-"
"Mare I'm so sorry." She cries out, her arms so tight I almost find it difficult to breathe,
"Alice-"
"I never saw it coming." She swallows pulling away. She keeps her hands on my shoulders, her eyes baring hard into mine. I reach up grabbing her wrists and prying her off of me. She lets me bring her hands down to her lap, her lips quiver,
"Alice it's alright," I state releasing her wrists to grab her hands. "Please it's not your fault."
"But Mare." She swallows, "I always see these things coming but..." She trails off looking for the perfect words,
"It doesn't matter, you need to let this go." She takes a breath through her nose before releasing it out her mouth, the slight tremor in her hands begins to still. "I don't blame you, you blame yourself."
"I always see these things. You were there and then you just weren't."
"I've been told I do that." I smile, trying to lighten the mood, but Alice is having none of it, her face is still low and her eyes are sad,
"If you changed-"
"Alice" I stress, squeezing her hands and leaning closer, "I didn't, everyone keeps saying it, but I didn't. I don't want to think about it, and I don't want you to take responsibility, because you can't. You did nothing wrong, please, I'm trying to consider everyone's feelings but...I was the one that was bitten but I'm the one that just wants to be done with it. I didn't change, I wasn't even really hurt." Alice sits completely still for a second before finally nodding,
"I don't blame you, stop blaming yourself. This house isn't happy without you." Alice squeezes my hands back,
"I love you, Mare." I swallow..now I'm struggling with my words.
"I..I.I love you too." Mare's arms are around me again, her short hair tickling my cheek,
"I know how hard that was for you to say." She whispers into my ear, "Please believe me when I say one day it won't be." She pulls away a familiar smile back on her lips, I can't help but smile back. Alice finally being happy is the last thing weighing my shoulders down and now I feel like I can sit straighter and my heart feels unclenched.
"Thank you, Alice." Her smile turns playful and she leans closer, "Are you back." Esme's words ring in my head,
Alice and Jasper are up in Alaska visiting our cousins.
Alice nods,
"I'm back, I'm sorry if my leaving was upsetting to you."
"You should be sorry," I joke, "I missed you." She looks at me before looking towards the door that Rosalie exited from. She leans forward to lightly bump my arm with her elbow,
"I think Rose is starting to like you." I look down to the Nancy Drew book sitting on top of my legs and reach down the run my finger down the spin. I know a goofy smile is on my lips and I don't care.
"I think you're right."
…
It took most of the night and all morning, but eventually, Carlisle agreed I could go to school, it took another thirty minutes before he was able to convince Esme of the same, but after realizing this was the last day before Thanksgiving break she agreed. She only agreed after I promised to go to the school nurse if I wasn't feeling well or got too tired and have them call her to pick me up. I promised and even ate an extra bowl of oatmeal with cranberry and walnuts as I watched Esme pack a quick lunch. Carlisle headed out first for a long shift at the hospital and thirty minutes later the rest of us followed. I was almost out the garage door when Esme called,
"Mare." Esme used her pointer finger to beckon me back. Edward reached forward taking my backpack off my shoulders while I quickly climbed the stairs again. I don't know what I was expecting but it wasn't for Esme to pull me into a tight hug before releasing me to grab my cheeks with her fingers,
"Remember what I said." I nod her fingers still pressing into my cheeks. She searches my eyes a second longer before pulling me back in for a quick hug, this time I hug her back. She pulls away and holds up a ten dollar bill,
"I didn't pack you a lunch so you'll have to buy today,"
"Lunch isn't ten dollars." She smiles and pushes it into my,
"It's all we have." I stuff the bill into my pocket,
"I'll bring change." She only smiles.
"Have a good day." I turn bouncing back down the stairs and into the garage. Edward waits by his Volvo, his arm resting nonchalantly on the roof of his car. He gives me a smirk before patting the car,
"Ready?"
"Yay."
"Actually," Rose's voice echoes in the garage. Her heels click on the concert as she heads towards her Range Rover, "It's Mare's turn to ride with us." I know I look shocked because I am.
"Ohh Yay! No more hoggin her Eddie." Emmett calls entering the garage with a hop,
"I don't hog her, she just prefers riding with me." Edward rolls his eyes,
"No, you hog her." Emmett states matter of factly, "Doesn't he Mare." With all sets of eyes on me I shrink,
"um,"
"Leave your backpack in Edwards's car, you're coming with us." Rosalie waves me over. I look over to Edward who just shrugs with a grin,
"Go ahead." He motions with his head and slowly I make my way over to the Range Rover. Emmett opens the back door and quickly I slide in, I expect him to head towards the driver's side, but instead, he hops into the passenger side and Rosalie gets behind the wheel. She smiles over towards Edward who still hasn't gotten into his car and with the speed I wasn't expecting backs up and pulls down the gravel driveway. Emmett laughs at her and turns towards me,
"Eddie's driving has nothing on Rose." I smile back at him, quickly buckling my seatbelt and holding on tightly to the door handle,
"Mare," Rose calls my attention pulling out on the main road. Edward's not behind her so I can only imagine he's driving Alice and Jasper too, who were running slightly late this morning.
"Yes?" I answer. Rose's eyes look up meeting mine in the review mirror,
"Has Tonya Redding been bothering you?"
"Wait!" Emmett looks at Rose before turning to me,
"Tonya Redding's been bothering you." Great, I turn to look out the window,
"No-"
"You would tell me if she was, you wouldn't lie to me, right?" I nod,
"I would-"
"Tonya Redding," Emmett repeats looking between Rose and me now. Rosalie sighs,
"Yes, Emmett, keep up."
"You know her family has issues right?" He turns back to me and I can't help but lean forward in my seat,
"Problems?" He nods, turning to give me his full attention,
"Ya, her brother a drug addict, they had to send him to Seattle to a rehab center, he came back a few weeks ago and everything's been pretty silent, but theirs a rumor he using again.
"And how did you hear that?" Rose asks, Emmett shrugs,
"Rumor I heard."
"Tandy's brothers an addict?" Is that why she's such a major bitch?! Could explain it. Emmett nods turning back around to place his foot on the dash. Rosalie reaches over to push Emmett's knee. Immediately his feet drop back to the floor,
"Wait a second, Tonya's been bothering you." Emmett turns back towards me and I lean back pushing into the plush seat, "How bad?"
"Not bad," I mumble,
"She knows you're with us right?! You're a Cullen, she can't mess with you?" Emmett reaches up cracking his knuckles, "I don't care she's a girl, I'll hit her."
"Unnecessary honey." Rose reaches over petting Emmett's closed fists, "It's handled." Emmett doesn't look convinced and turns back towards me,
"What has she said to you?" I swallow turning to look at the back of Rose's head,
"She hasn't said anything to me?" I shrug, technically it's not a lie. Tandy's bullying of choice is angrily staring at me, knocking my books out of my hands, and pouring water over my head,
"Mare," Emmett warns,
"Like Rosalie said, it's handled." Emmett narrows his eyes at me, unconvinced,
"If she does-"
"I know," I smirk, "You'll hit her."
"In a heartbeat."
…
I keep my head down when I get to homeroom quickly shuffling in and sliding into my seat, Alex's eyes light up the minute I enter and follow me to my seat,
"Well, well, well," he smiles, once I'm seated, "Looks who back to school, where ya been?" I open my book and shrug,
"Bad nosebleed,"
"You expect me to believe that?" I look up,
"Sure do." He smirks,
"Alright, are you feeling better?" I let my eyes slide to Tonya. She looks nice dressed in a skirt and jacket that's completely inappropriate for the weather. She looks nice, I would have never believed that something so awful could be going on at home. She plays it off well. I turn back to Alex and nod,
"Much better."
…
"This is a first," Cody smirks grabbing an extra lunch tray to hold out to me.
"Esme didn't pack me a lunch," I explain grabbing the tray from her hand with a small smile,
"How come you don't call her aunt? She's your uncle's wife," Shit!
"I don't know, I just never did." She nods moving forward in the line.
"My mom says Doctor Cullens like really young, so your dad must have been much older than him." She takes another step but I'm rooted in my spot, how have I never thought of these things?! Maybe because I didn't think anyone would take much interest in me to ask such things,
"Ya." It's the best I can come up with,
"How old were you when they got married? Were you in the wedding?" She asks reaching forward to grab a small container of grapes. I grab on too.
"You know...I don't really talk about it." She grabs a bottle of water, but she drops it to look at me,
"O my god Mare, I am so sorry. That was inconsiderate of me, your parents..." She trails off. I reach forward to grab two water and place one on her tray,
"It's okay-"
"No, I'm so sorry." The line moves and I push her forward,
"We can forget about it," She breathes a sigh of relief,
"Thank you." I nod, grabbing a turkey sandwich and a bag of chips. Cody goes for the BLT and pretzels. "I'm really glad you're back." She grabs two slices of cake, placing one on her tray and the other on mine.
"Me too." We keep moving along the line until we get to the registers. I pay for both our lunches much to Cody's complaints and together we head to the lunch table,
"I really am sorry Mare-" I turn and smile at her,
"It really is fine." She nods. I need her to drop this because now I have to go home and come have the others help me come up with something to say in case she ever brings it up again,
"Promise?"
"I promise Cody, everything is-" Suddenly my lunch tray is pushed into my stomach my chip bag popping against my sternum. I drop the tray finding both my sandwich and slice of cake stuck to my shirt,
"Are you freaking kidding me!" Cody shouts,
"Oops," A familiar voice gasps. I release a large breath to wipe the remnants of my lunch off my shirt,
"Feeling good about yourself?" I ask, looking up at Tandy. She frowns and steps closer coming inches to my face,
"Watch yourself, you and your freaky family don't scare me." I can't help but laugh in her face,
"First you idolize them and then you hate them, pick a personality." I push past her, bumping into her shoulder, hoping I've wiped something on her shirt. I hear Cody call my name but all I can think of is getting to the bathroom to salvage what's left of this Neman and Marcus blouse Alice surely spent too much money on only to have Alice suddenly grab my arm and pull me down the hall,
"Alice?" She stops at her locker quickly putting in her combination and opens the door,
"I tried to get her as quickly as I could, but the bathroom pass was out." She frowns her eyes apologetic, "Here." She holds out a soft cotton shirt and cardigan, "I always keep extra clothes in my locker." I grab them,
"Thanks."
"Are you okay?" I nod, a small smile playing on my lips
"I'm not mad, I feel bad, but not for me."
"That's because you're a good person Mare." She reaches forward grabbing my wrist, "Hurry lunch end in twenty. You need to change so you can still eat." I let her pull me forward, ignoring the fact that I used all the money Esme gave me. Alice brings us to the nearest bathroom and pushes me into the stall,
"Do you ever need these clothes?" I ask taking off the solid shirt,
"Sometimes," Alice answers. I look around trying to figure out what to do when Alice answers for me, "Just throw it away." I scoff,
"It's a nice shirt."
"It's ruined, that icing will never come out."
"Do you not believe in dry cleaning."
"Mare." Alice giggles. I smile, I haven't heard Alice laugh since the incident and slowly I drop the shirt in the trash and change quickly, before exiting the stall. Alice sits on the counter,
"Alice," She leans forward, "Thanks for looking out for me." She smiles jumping off and grabbing me in a hug, before pulling away,
"Mare, you're my sister now. I'll always look out for you." My skin rises in goosebumps, I swallow unable to find the words to say back except,
"Thank you." Alice smiles wide reaching into her pocket and pulling out five dollars,
"Here take this for lunch," When I don't reach for it she shoves it in my hand, "And don't worry, Cody's not going to bring anything up with the family for a long time."
"You saw that." She nods, grabs my shoulders, and starts pushing me toward the door,
"Yes now get some lunch. I'll meet you after school." I let her push me out the door and down to the cafeteria, we part at the doors and I head inside determined not to let Tandy bother me again.
…
"You want to explain to me, why you got in my car and told me to drive the minute the bell rang," Edward asks from the driver's side of his Volvo. We've been silent since getting into the car and I was kinda hoping to keep it that way.
"Have you heard what happened in the cafeteria?" I sigh. News spread fast about what happened, and since then it's been the talk of the school, from the freshman to the seniors.
"I did." Edward nods, "Are you okay."
"Yes, but..." I trail off,
"But?" Edward presses after a second of silence,
"Rosalie and I talked about Tandy this morning and Emmett was there.."
"Okay,"
"I didn't want her to ask about it or stand around and see if she confronts her." Edward releases a small laugh,
"So you wanted to go because you didn't want to see if Rose would stand up to your bully."
"Well yay," I shrug, "That and Emmett said he would hit her." Now Edwards laughing, a full hearty laugh, "It's not funny."
"Oh, it is," He turns into the driveway, his laughter dying down a bit,
"Stop laughing." Suddenly he stops, his car pulls into the garage.
"That's all it took," I remark stepping out of the car,
"Mare." Edwards's voice is urgent causing me to stop in my tracks,"Get back in the car and stay there." I turn back towards him confused,
"Why?"
"Just do it." Before I can Carlisle opens the garage door and holds up his hands,
"It's okay." I look between the two,
"What's going on?" Edwards's face is stone and when he doesn't answer I look back to Carlisle, "Is something wrong?" Carlisle steps closer,
"No," He looks up to Edward before turning back to me, "I was hoping you would be okay with meeting some new people?"
"Me," Carlisle nods,
"I understand it's been a hard week, but we had some guests arrive this afternoon and they would like to meet you. I told them that it would be completely up to you if you wanted to see them today. If not they understand and will leave." I turn back to Edward whose face remains the same,
"Ya, I don't mine. Who's here?"
"Our cousins from Alaska." He clarifies "The Denali coven."