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When You Love Someone
Chapter Five: The Kids Aren't Alright
Update* Re-edited and uploaded
As the dawn slowly rose and the sun's rays hit my window, the light hit my skin and thousands of tiny lights surrounded my room. I held up my hand and wiggled my fingers, the light dancing along the walls. Although the change was sudden, there were some perks.
As I changed into a set of clothes, I felt the fabric of the jeans and soft blouse, I looked at the mirror on my dresser and saw that my hair was an absolute mess. Wishing that I had a hairbrush, I just tied it in a ponytail, for now, making yet another mental note about what I needed to buy.
Personal items, electronics, clothes, shoes I sincerely hoped Jane was right and I'll get to use a credit card. I really didn't want to use the money I had on things but I'll do it if I have too but really don't want too.
Feeling the tickle in my throat I knew I'll have to hunt. Thankfully there's a nearby forest but I didn't know if I can just go or if I must tell someone I'll go.
Deciding to play it safe I walked the same route to the offices but seeing Aro not there I walk further along seeing Marcus's door slightly open.
Before I got the chance to knock, I heard a quite "Come in Bella"
Marcus, with many documents surrounding his desk, smiled at me as I gave a hello " I'm sorry to disturb you, again, um I need to hunt, and I wasn't sure if I needed to let someone know or just go?" I shrugged self-consciously.
"It's quite alright. Things here must be quite different from where you're from?" Nodding he gave a quiet laugh "It's understandable, I assume you don't want to change diets so whenever you need to hunt just let any of the guards know and feel free to go whenever you wish. Just if it happens to be sunny don't go unless you have a cloak to protect your skin and here" opening the drawer he took out a small, black plastic card. "This is yours. Jane mentioned to me last night that you are missing some personal items, so this is yours to spend on whatever you need. Just use it carefully" He chuckled giving me the same look my dad gave me when I got my first credit card.
Smiling gratefully, I took it and placed it in my pocket. "Thank you, Master Marcus" Remembering my manners since I knew I've been addressing them by their names.
"Please, just Marcus" He waved his hand as he smiled "Unless we're in full-court it's just our names. None of this Master nonsense. We're a family here and we address family as family."
"Well then thank you, Marcus" I smiled as he waved me off, telling me to have fun on my hunt.
Walking back the way I came, I found the nearest door to the outside and once I felt the grass underneath my shoes I began to run. The familiar feeling of freedom hitting me as I let my senses take over.
Smelling a scent, I followed it until I saw a huge bear. Climbing quietly, I waited until it was distracted than jump onto it's back, biting its neck, my teeth ripping into its skin like butter as I felt the warm blood going down my throat satisfying the burn. Tossing the carcass away as I continued my hunt, I could feel that something wasn't right. Sensing someone nearby but deeming its not a threat, I drained two more bears before I started running again. Feeling that same someone following me and spying a clearing I beelined toward it, slowing my pace to see if they were going to make themselves known.
I slowly walked around in a circle and spotting a deer, drained it quickly as I felt the stranger's eyes on me. Growing frustrated that they're still hiding I yelled out "You know I know you're there, right?"
As a figure emerged on my right I turned to see a handsome vampire, not one I recognized as he's slightly taller than me, has black hair that swishes over his forehead and slender yet muscular build. He was wearing a suit and when he looked at me his red eyes bore into mine, I felt as if my feet were glued to the ground, my eyes having tunnel vison straight into his.
Blinking and breaking whatever trance I was just in, I took a step back as he stopped ten feet away from me, still looking at me and not saying a word.
After a beat of silence, I grew annoyed as I asked, "Can I help you?"
"No," He said quickly, his voice like silk, deep yet still having a boyish charm. "My apologies, I didn't mean to disrupt your hunt." He said as eyes still bore into mine.
"You didn't, I was just finishing up. Why are you following me? Who are you?" I asked on guard but still curious as to see who this vampire is.
"Forgive me, I've been terribly rude; allow me to introduce myself," He said taking two steps forward as I took two steps back.
"My name is Alec. I saw you leave the castle. I was curious to see who the new addition was and decided to see what you were doing. It's not very often we have animal drinkers here in our city" He explained, his hands moving behind his back. Standing straight I started to see the similarities between him and my newest friend.
"Your Jane's brother" I confirmed seeing they have the same nose and lips although Jane's are slightly fuller.
"Yes, I assume you've heard of me," He asked slightly guarded at the mention of his sister. Remembering how close Jane is with Alec I know he must be defensive of her and not wanting to anger him I tried and put his mind at ease.
"Yes, although I know only of what Jane has mentioned. We've gotten quite close over these last few days. Your sister is quite an amazing chess player." I complimented as I saw his shoulders lose some of the tension although he was still guarded.
"Yes, Janie is quite accomplished in chess. Beating everyone in the castle more than once. Including myself." He replied
"Yeah, she's really good. Anyways I'm expected back, so unless you have anyone else to stalk do you want to go back to the castle with?" I asked smiling a little.
Alec, still guarded, let out a tiny smile as he nodded. As I ran next to him I caught myself sneaking glances at him. He's so different than I imagined.
In my mind, I imagined someone younger, and I admit shorter but the man running next to me is anything but. Although changed at 21, Jane told me they looked far older than they were.
Laughing she told me she remembered being annoyed since she would have had to get married sooner but is thankful for it now since it helps with missions and gaining respect.
Alec, I notice doesn't look 21 at all. Although I know he is, he looks older than me and I had just turned 19. It doesn't help that I have a baby face.
Reaching the castle, Alec, a gentleman I realized, opened the door for me, and as we stepped in, we walked in silence, feeling slight energy between us.
Reaching a break in the hallways he turned to me and said, "It has been a pleasure meeting you Bella; enjoy your stay with us" With that, he took off down the hallway and after losing sight of him I released a breath I didn't know I was holding.
What a strange man, who follows someone they've never met? Shaking my head, I decided to visit the library again and seeing it empty I go back to the shelf where I spotted Didyme's book.
Pulling it down and taking a seat at a back table I began to read and the more I read, the more I found myself capitated by her discoveries.
So many recipes, mainly for common annoyances like a balm for your feet when running barefoot. To apply it before running on the bottom of your feet so no small objects make their ways in the crevices of your skin. A problem I'm already familiar with. After my first run barefoot with Edward, I sat picking dirt out of my feet for an hour since washing them did little to nothing.
Remembering the run, it was such a good memory. Edward ever serious just wanted me to get used to my new speed and already bored with it, decided to play a game of tag during the hunt. He was having so much fun and hearing his laughter through the trees I was laughing with him. We stayed out for days like that, with the family eventually joining in.
Esme as it turned out was quite competitive and after being 'tagged' by Emmett made it her sole mission to capture him with Emmett using any one of us as shields whenever she got close. I was laughing so hard when he grabbed me and threw me towards Esme. Landing on my feet beside her she just shook her head as she chased him. Even Rosalie and I had a few good moments.
It was a good day.
Feeling my nails in the palms of my hands I shook my head of the memory, coming back to the present.
That was the past and this is the present. The Cullen's, no matter what they said or how they acted before, showed their true colors when it mattered.
Stomping down the familiar pain in my chest I turned the page, determined to keep my mind off those good memories that have now been tainted.
Seeing Didyme's recipes though, she truly was an amazing vampire. Reading her antidotes and personal notes, seeing how long it took her to perfect a recipe or notes on how to make it better. I must have sat there for hours, reading her stories, however, the closer to the end of the book, the shorter and more incomplete the pages became.
Her last entry though was the most fascinating, just a single entry about wanting to work on more complex recipes and wanting to protect vampires. There was one more paragraph underneath but was smudged away with just a single number remaining.
225
Curious about what this number meant I closed the book and placed it back on the shelf. Taking out my phone and seeing the time I knew I needed to get to the stores before they closed and not wanting to go another day wearing dirty clothes, I filed the mysterious entry in the back of my mind as I went and looked for Jane.
Not finding her in the game room, I went back down the hallway and wondered if she was in her room. Walking quickly to what I thought was her room I knocked quickly before she answered the door.
"Bella, hi" She sounded surprised but not altogether unpleased as she smiled at me and ushered me into her room.
Her room surprised me, with a deep purple and little stars painted on the ceiling. Having her dresser being near the door but her tv being in front of her bed and a desk closest to the window. It was quite feminine and the more I looked, the more I realize it was very Jane.
Smiling at her as she closed the door, she asked "What's up Bella?"
"I noticed that it was almost twilight and I was wondering if you wanted to go shopping with me?" I asked looking at her as she looked surprised than happy as she nodded her head.
"Yeah, I would love too. Do you mind if Heidi joins us? She loves shopping and I know after been gone so long she might be itching to go."
"Yeah the more the merrier," I said smiling as we walked out of her room. Texting quickly, she smiled "Heidi says yes and is even bringing Chelsea. They'll meet us down in the garage. I think I might see if Alec would want to join as well? I know he needs some new shirts." She mused to herself before sending another text and smiling she answered, "He'll come too which means Felix and Dimitri will as well." Chuckling she turned to me "I guess today is shopping day."
"I guess so" I say surprised "Do you all tend to do activities together?" I asked
"Sometimes, if it's convenient and I know most of the upper guard want to meet you as well. This is a good opportunity to do it." She admitted
"Yeah, I guess so. I already met your brother" I say shyly watching her reaction
"Really, you already met Alec? He just got in last night?" She said surprise coloring her voice.
"Yeah, in fact when I went on my hunt this morning, he was following me" I admitted
"Really? Are you sure? I don't mean to question you, but Alec isn't known to take interest in people. He tends to be more of a loner." She said
"Yeah, um, I don't know why he did; he claims he's never really seen an animal drinker," I admit to which Jane shook her head
"My brother tends to be a bit weird, but he means well," She said looking at me with an interesting look in her eyes.
Turning down another hallway, Jane opened a door leading to a very shiny and clean garage with many expensive cars. By a silver Ferrari is a group of vampires who all turn to us and Dimitri gives a small wave. Beside him I see Alec who stared at me and quickly looked away, frowning at the wall.
What's his problem?
Two vampires who I've never seen before started to walk toward us. One is tall and what I imagined a supermodel would look like. She was stunning, her beauty equaling Rosalie's as her red hair is pulled up in a very chic updo. The other vampire, gorgeous in her own right, had her long dirty blonde hair loose down her back. They both smiled at us with the red-haired vampire speaking first.
"Hello Bella, my name is Heidi, its nice to finally meet you." She gave me a warm smile as she gently took my hand as the other vampire who I assume was Chelsea nodded and gave me a small smile. "Hi Bella, I'm Chelsea" She smiled, and although warm, something was off. Her eyes had a hardened edge to them and smiling back, I wasn't sure what to make of it.
Saying hi to both Felix and Dimitri and a quick hello to Alec who gave me a small nod I stuck close to Jane, my shyness coming back.
"So, are we taking your car or what?" Jane looking at Alec who shrugged as Dimitri quickly spoke up
"I don't care whose car we're taking, all I know is that I need a new video game. So, who has the fastest car now?" He looked at Heidi who gave a tired sigh said
"I do, but I just got it, so you don't get to drive it," She said glaring at a pouting Dimitri. Chuckling internally, he reminded me of Emmett.
Felix on the other hand laughed out loud, taking out his keys and throwing them to Dimitri "Here bro, you drive my car and why don't you take the girls and I'll ride with Heidi" Sliding closer to Heidi and throwing his arm around her she giggled as she shook her head.
"Actually, Aro wanted me to use the tour bus today. Apparently, he's hungry and he isn't the only one" Looking at everyone's black eyes except for Heidi, Jane and Alec's I looked to the ground realizing that she's going to go hunting.
Uncomfortable with the thought of riding with humans, I try and find an excuse to get out of it when Alec suddenly spoke up
"How about Heidi, you take Chelsea, Dimitri and Felix and I'll take Jane and Bella in my car. Since we all already ate, we can just come back."
"Everyone okay with that?" He asked casually and at everyone's agreement, I followed Jane to Alec's car. A black sleek tesla. I quickly got into the back seat and watch as Jane climbs upfront.
"You don't want the front, Bella?" She asked quizlike
Shooting a quick glance at Alec as he looked straight ahead I answered "It's okay, I'm fine back here"
"If you're sure" Turning forward as the car purred to life.
Biting my lip, I nodded my head trying my best not to stare at her brother. Something was just, I don't know I couldn't put my finger on it, but... off. Plus, he wasn't that eager to talk with me this morning. Alec to his credit completely ignored us as Jane turned around and started talking to me, peppering me with questions about what stuff I wanted and offering me the names of stores on where I could get the best deals and items.
The car ride was short and before I knew it, we were at the mall. With everyone getting off and doing their own thing, I stuck with Jane as Alec, staying with us for a while, drifted to a music store leaving me alone with Jane.
We talked amongst ourselves, laughing quietly at our jokes as I shopped for new jeans, skirts, tops, shoes and accessories. Shopping with Jane was a lot easier than shopping with Alice as we had the same tastes and making quick work on what we liked and her offering things I would like but not forcing me to try things on.
It was nice and after getting almost everything I needed plus a few things for herself, Jane wanted to check out a designer store and wanting to check out a bookstore we parted ways.
Walking in, it was nice, with people reading quietly to themselves and others milling about. Checking out the YA section I got wind of Alec's scent and peeking around a bookshelf I saw him looking at different sketchbooks.
Not realizing I was there I continued to watch, his strong hands moving over the glossy pages, his stance relaxed, his brow furrowed in concertation, his lips in a thin line.
He really was handsome, even if he was a little weird. Smiling, satisfied at what he found I quickly made my way back to the young adult section picking up a random book before he saw me.
Crossing the store, I made my way to the journaling section and went through the different journals, liking a simple lather bound journal with a rose on the front.
Taking it, I looked around and saw that Alec must have already left. Paying quickly, I received a text from Jane asking if I was finished.
Replying, back, I'll meet them at the car I start making my way over. Why couldn't have I just said hi to him? I mean he was right there and it's not like he couldn't smell me? Shaking my head at my stupidity, I saw everyone by the cars and Jane before I could get a chance slides in the back smiling smugly at me.
Rolling my eyes, I got in the front as Alec slides in next to me. When the doors closed the energy is back. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Alec, knit his brows together as pushed his lips together not looking too happy at this recent development.
Jane, looking between the two of us confused, looked at me then at Alec. Feeling awkward, I broke the silence and asked her if she found anything interesting.
We chatted all the way home, while Alec stayed silent; his hands tightening on the steering wheel every so often.
When we finally returned, he quickly got out of the car and taking most of the bags out he walked quickly ahead of us, talking with Felix and Dimitri.
Seeing him quickly walk away I couldn't help the sting of rejection that hit me. I guess he didn't like me very much. I know it was impossible for everyone to like me, but it seemed that the rest of the guard didn't have a problem with me.
Biting my lip, I turn to Jane who, still looking at Alec, well glaring, she turned to me and gave me a quick smile though it doesn't reach her eyes.
Walking in, I grabbed my bags and walked to my room trying hard not to think of Alec and failing miserably.
It wasn't until after I put away everything did Felix find me offering to play video games. Jumping at the chance to get my mind off things I followed him to the game room where I saw Dimitri setting things up; Chelsea sitting ready with a controller in her hands. Giving me a quick smile, she goes back to setting up her controller while I see Heidi and Renata talking with themselves in the corner painting each other's nails. Jane came in just then, looking quite unhappy but upon seeing everyone changed her expression quickly but not before I saw her hiding it.
Something had upset her.
Before I had the chance to talk with her, a controller was thrust in my hands by a grinning Dimitri, and Jane, sitting beside me, joined in.
We played all night and most of the day and it wasn't long for Jane's smile to turn genuine. Still, I wondered why she was so unhappy but for now I'll let it go and just add it to the ever-growing file in the back of my mind.
And sometimes I just want to sit around and gaze at my shoes
And let your dirty sadness fill me up
Just like a balloon
And in the end, I would do it all again
I think you're my best friend
Don't you know that the kids aren't all, kids aren't all right
Fall Out Boy: The Kids aren't all right
A/N: So next chapter is going to be a good one, I'm so excited to see how you react to it! I'm so tempted to post it early you have no idea lol. Review, review, review!