~ Theory ~
Friday was a sunny day, as was the week afterwards. I managed to convince Charlie to let me stay home, claiming that my, ahem, monthly monster was acting up. Bella went to Port Angeles with Angela and Jessica to shop for dresses to wear to the Spring Dance, one event I would not be attending. Charlie and I were waiting up for Bella. I was reading and Charlie had a baseball game on. I soon heard the sounds of a specific Volvo as it pulled into or driveway. "Alex?" Charlie called as I stood, closing my book and setting it on the table before stepping out of the house. Bella was seated in the passenger seat of Edward's car, where the hell was Angela and Jessica? I crossed my arms, listening into the conversation.
"Do you promise to be there tomorrow?" Bella asked.
"I promise." Edward promised. "You can keep it, you don't have a jacket for tomorrow," he reminded me.
"I don't want to have to explain to Alex and Charlie."
"Oh, right."
"Bella?"
.
"Yes?"
"Will you promise me something?"
"Yes."
"Don't go into the woods alone." Edward stated.
"Why?" Bella asked, confused.
"I'm not always the most dangerous thing out there. Let's leave it at that."
"Whatever you say."
"I'll see you tomorrow."
"Tomorrow, then." The door to the car opened.
"Bella? Sleep well." There was a pause before Bella got out of the passenger side and I frowned. Bella spotted me and she looked like a deer caught in headlights. She said a quick goodbye to Edward before walking up to me. She jogged up the stairs to meet me. "Hey, Alex-" Bella started.
"Go inside." I ordered.
"But-"
"Inside. Now." I glared at Bella and she shrunk back. Bella looked down as she stepped around me and into the house. Edward sighed and got out of the car. I stalked up to him and pulled him close to me by the ear. "Listen here Cullen, I don't know what Bella is to you but if you so much as hurt her in any shape or form I swear I will rip you limb from limb and burn the pieces myself."
"I won't hurt her." Edward said.
"Promise me!"
"I promise." I nodded and released Edward's ear.
"Does she know?" I asked him, crossing my arms again. Edward looked away. "She does? You idiot! Do you know what the Volturi will do to her if they find out she knows?"
"I know what they'll do." Edward muttered.
"I've seen it firsthand. Now, get off my property. Goodbye." Edward walked back to his car, getting in and quickly driving off. I ran my hand through my hair, pushing it behind my ears before I walked back into the house. Bella was staring at me from the entryway, she had heard everything.
"Bella?" Charlie called. I walked into the lounge room, Bella shuffling behind me.
"Yeah, Dad, it's me."
"You're home early." Charlie commented.
"Am I?"
"It's not even eight yet. Did you girls have fun?"
"Yeah, it was lots of fun. They both found dresses."
"Are you all right?"
"I'm just tired. I did a lot of walking."
"Well, maybe you should go lie down."
"I'm just going to call Jessica first."
"Weren't you just with her?"
"Yes, but I left my jacket in her car. I want to make sure she brings it tomorrow."
"I'm gonna get ready for bed." I declared, tucking my book under my arm and heading for the stairs. "I'll be down later to say goodnight." I ascended the stairs to my room. I was pulling on my shirt when Bella burst into my room.
"What was that all about with Edward?" She demanded.
"I don't know what you're talking about." I said, not turning to her.
"Uh, yeah you do! You talked to Edward as if...as if you know." My grip tightened on the fabric of my shirt, but I refused to talk to Bella. "You know what he is?"
"It's not so hard to figure out." I muttered. "I mean, how could I not recognise one of my own."
"You're a...Alex…" I finally turned to bell, releasing my shirt and pressing two fingers to Bella's forehead. My eyes flashed. Bella's eyes widened before narrowing. "Why?"
"I'm immortal, Bella, and I look like a teenager. What would people say about me? Huh? I'd probably be reported to social services, I couldn't have that. So, I've been family hopping. My ability allows me to change memories, implant myself into people's lives and make them think that I've known them for years."
"Why our family, out of so many others."
"Because you were moving to Forks!" I exclaimed, "It's easier to plant faint fake memories of someone that hasn't been to a place in a while rather than change multiple people's memories to weasel me into it. No one really remembered you from when you were a kid, so it was as simple as adding me next to you. Charlie, Renée and you were the hardest, but it's easier to do it with you three than it was with the Romanov's." Bella's eyes then lit up.
"You...you were a Romanov?"
"For a little while." Bella nodded.
"Ok...I'm not all that impressed with you messed with my head...and learning about all this in one night is a bit of a headache."
"I'm sorry Bella, it's what I had to do to survive." I stepped towards Bella and cupped her cheeks, "In my mortal life, I had a daughter, and from the memories I got from Renée, you were just like her. I lost her when she was just a babe, even though I'm not your sister, I hope I can be the sister you deserve."