*POV BELLA*
Charlie: Bella?
Charlie's voice snaps me out of it and I gently push her away.
Bella: what the fuck Lauren?!
Lauren: I thought you needed a reminder of how it feels.
Bella: I don't. It's not going to happen Lauren.
Lauren: you didn't push me away.
Bella: I was caught off guard!
Charlie: uh Bella… Alice?
Fuck Alice, she had to have seen it. I nod my head letting him know I know what he meant. Hastily getting in my car, I speed to the Cullen's house. I gun it, feeling like I'm not going fast enough. I finally see the wooded entrance and slow down to drive through the trees. I don't bother turning off my car as I jump out running to the door. Before I can open it, I'm slammed into the wall.
Rose: what the fuck Bella?
Bella: Rosalie let me go! I need to talk to her.
Rose: she doesn't want to talk to you. She doesn't even want to see you. I swear if I have to climb another mountain in Alaska, I'm feeding you to Emmett! Leave Bella.
Bella: she's leaving? Rosalie, let me go! I'm not leaving till I see her.
Esme: Rose, let her go.
Rosalie looks to Esme and then back at me, slowly letting my shirt go. I run pass her and Esme. I'm met with Emmett on the stairs and his face says it all. I fucked up. I say please and he steps aside. I take the stairs 2 at a time and I'm met with a locked door. I could effortlessly break it. Easily walk into her room. But I don't. I gently but loudly knock on her door.
Bella: Alice please open the door.
She doesn't say anything, and I don't hear any movement. But I hear her heart. I don't feel the tingles, but I hear her heartbeat.
Bella: Alice… please. I'm so sorry. I swear she caught me off guard. It's not an excuse but it's the truth. The kiss didn't mean shit to me.
Still no reply. Still no movement.
Bella: I'm not leaving till I see you.
I let myself slide down in front of her door. Fuck I'm an idiot. I shouldn't have even talked to her. Edward walks up, taking a seat next to me. We share a look before he takes my hand in his. I'm grateful that his stand isn't the same as Rosalie's. Rosalie and Emmett walk by, they're both disappointed. I don't blame them. I'm disappointed in myself. What the fuck was I thinking. Edward looks at me and whispers "it's going to be ok" before he gets up. Probably going to look for Jake. What if it's not ok? What if she doesn't forgive me? The thought feels like a dagger to my heart. My wolf whines and I feel the same way. Before I know it, an hour has past, then two, then three. Esme comes up and offers me food but it's the last thing on my mind. Edward and Jake walk up, they share a look and Edward continues walking to his room. Jake sits across from me. I see it all written on his face. He's wondering what the fuck was I thinking. A thought I had since I got here. He gives my foot a kick before getting up and knocks on her door.
Jake: Alice, can I come in?
Bella: she's not going to open it.
He shoots me a smile when we hear the lock unclick.
Rosalie: come on Bella, let's go talk.
I didn't realize Rosalie was even there. I watch as Jake walks into her room. Hoping to catch a glimpse of her. Rosalie gives me a pointed look causing me to hang my head and start walking down the stairs. When we get to the living room, Rosalie walks in front of me. In only a form that Rosalie can pull. She flows out the patio door and into the woods. With one last glance up to Alice's patio, I follow her. We get a good 100 feet away from the house when Rosalie turns around. She crosses her arms and looks at me with her icy queen look.
Bella: Rosalie, I know. I fucked up ok.
Rosalie: what the hell were you thinking!?
Bella: no need to yell Rosalie.
Rosalie: someone needs to since Alice wont.
Bella: she caught me off guard. I know it's a shitty excuse but it's the truth.
We stand there in a stare off. I'm internally beating myself up. I slowly see her face soften. She lets out a breath that I didn't even know she was holding.
Rosalie: you need to fix this. I didn't go all the way to Alaska just for you to fuck it up.
Bella: I can't fix it, if she won't open the door and talk to me!
Rosalie: what exactly happened?
I sit down on a fallen log. Thinking over everything that happened.
Bella: I was leaving the diner to come here. Lauren came up to me and asked me to talk. I wasn't going to talk to her, but I saw the plead in her eyes. A part of me also figured if I just talk to her, maybe she'll back off. She'll see I'm serious about Alice and leave us alone. Lauren asked me to dinner, allegedly to talk, of course I told her no. She brought up how we swore we'd always be friends, always be in each other's life. And it's true. We did promise to always be friends. I assumed, yeah if she can accept that me and her would never be together again… maybe we could be friends. But then she kissed me. She kissed me and it's like my brain shut down.
Rosalie: did you miss kissing her?
I don't answer her right away and I see the disappointment fill her eyes. If Rosalie's hurt about it, I know it's killing Alice. I stand up, my body and wolf wanting to run to her and fix all this.
Bella: I don't miss kissing her. I don't know why I didn't stop her. I truly don't. All I know is I need to talk to Alice, and I need to fix this.
I turn to walk back to the house, if she follows it's on her.
Rosalie: Bella? Who ended the kiss?
I freeze. Knowing that the answer is no better but have to be honest.
Bella: I did. Charlie came out of the diner, and I ended the kiss. And I came straight here.
Rosalie: she saw it, Bella. She saw it and instead of wanting to go to you, she made me come home. Give her a minute. I'm not saying leave. Just give her a minute.
I nod my head. She knows I won't leave. But she figures I just need a reminder. I hear her run off and I keep walking to the house.
*POV ALICE*
I wipe always the tears that don't seem to stop. Bella is sitting right outside my door, but I don't want to see her. I don't want to look at her lips. Lips that still taste like Lauren. Lips that were supposed to be my birth right.
Jake: Alice, can I come in?
Bella: she's not going to open it.
I go to unlock the door for him. And quickly get back on my bed. Resuming the position I was in. I hope that he knows it's just for him to come in. I don't know what I'll do if I look at her right now. I hear Rose take Bella away as Jake walks in. He closes the door behind him and walks over to the bed.
Jake: Edward told me what happened.
I lift my head to look at him, but I don't speak. We sit in silence for a while.
Jake: I'm not going to pretend to know what you're feeling. Or even what she was thinking. All I know is she knows she made a mistake. She knows she fucked up.
Alice: Jake… what is it about Lauren that she can't let her go?
Jake: she's let her go.
Alice: their kiss clearly says otherwise.
Jake: Alice…
Alice: no Jake.
I stand up and walk to the window. Losing myself in thought, I don't speak for a while. I like Jake. He kinda reminds me of Bella in some ways. He can sit in the silence with me, not rushing me for an answer.
Alice: I thought she worked out whatever that was. I thought what we had was more than just the imprint or whatever.
Jake: Alice it is. I've seen how she feels about you. And I've seen how she felt about Lauren. She's different with you. Everything about her is different with you. Trust me, there's no comparing.
Alice: so why did she kiss her?
Jake: I wish I could tell you… but you'd have to ask her.
He points a little way into the woods. I don't need him to point her out. I FEEL her whenever she's nearby. She's walking slow. There's no blood and her clothes are still intact. Rose didn't harm her. Astonishing. I jump down and wait for her to look up. She stops a few feet away. We stare at each other for a while before she takes another step toward me. And I smell her… I smell Lauren. Her cheap perfume. Every fiber of my being is scorching.
Bella: Alice I…
Before I can stop myself, I slap her. When she looks at me, her lip is bleeding, and I regret it immediately. If she had been human, she would possibly be dead right now. I thank all the gods she isn't.
Alice: shit Bella…
Bella: no, I deserved that.
I take a step towards her, to my surprise she doesn't stiffen or move away. I slowly reach up to wipe her lip. I try not to look into her eyes. I don't want to see the hurt. I don't want to give in and just forgive her. We need to talk. She lifts my chin and forces me to look at her.
Bella: Alice, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you. I swear to you, it didn't mean a thing.
I see the hurt in her eyes. And the love. No matter what, there's always love in her eyes. Even through all the Jasper mess, there was always love. I push back a little. Needing to clear my thoughts. My feelings. I take a deep breath; I regret it instantly. The smell of Lauren helps in clearing my thoughts though.
Alice: why Bella? Just why?
Bella: Alice if I knew the answer, trust me, I would give it to you.
I resist the urge to slap her again.
Bella: I didn't kiss her back. I promise you I didn't.
Alice: why did you even stop to talk to her?
Bella: I just thought I could get her to leave us alone.
Alice: if you haven't noticed, nothing we do, makes her stop. No matter how many times you talk to her. Hell there's a ring on my finger Bella. Hell how would you feel if that had been Jasper? Huh? How would you feel if I let him kiss me?
I see her body shaking. The hurt turns to anger and she looks away. This time it's my turn to lift her chin. Forcing her to look at me. She takes a few deep breathe to calm herself.
Bella: I just had to try Alice.
Alice: well it didn't work… not only did she kiss you but once again you smell like her.
Bella: I'll shower right away.
Alice: wash your lips with bleach. Don't think about kissing me any time soon either.
Bella: yes ma'am.
She turns to walk to the house.
Bella: I'm so sorry Alice. I never meant for it to happen.
Alice: I know. Still doesn't get you off the hook. I meant what I said about the bleach.
LATER
School has been interesting. Lauren hasn't said anything to any of us. But Edward has been relaying her thoughts. Most surround her and Bella's kiss. To say we care, would be an understatement. We have more important things to worry about. Paul and Leah's wedding. Esme and Rose did a wonderful job. Everything looks beautiful and I know Leah is going to love it. The wedding is being held at the Res, with most of the guests being people from the Res. With Bella and I being best man and maid of honor, it's our job to make sure they both get to the alter. Leah stayed the night with me while Bella went to stay with Paul and the guys. She promised no strippers, just a night of the wolfs running around. Leah stated she didn't want any either, making Rose settle on a night of pamper for us.
Alice: ok, you're ready for your wedding!
Leah: thanks Alice, for everything. But most importantly keeping me alive to see this day.
Alice: Leah, I told you. There's no need to thank me for that. It was my fault you were even there…. And that's that. Now come on, Rose says they're about to start.
I do one last check of Leah before we step to walk out. I hear Edward start playing his piano, Leah and I share a smile as I turn to walk out. My breathe catches in my throat and I pause when I spot Bella at the end of the aisle. Whispering something in Paul's ear before she turns to see me. I hear her heart skip a beat and smile as I start walking towards them. Unable to take my eyes off of her, thank the Gods for my vampire feet. Her eyes never leave me, causing me to smile even harder. When I reach the alter, she steps down to grab my hand and help me up. I give her a quick kiss on her cheek before stepping away. We turn as Edward switches the song for Leah to start her walk.
Paul: damn… she's getting pregnant tonight.
Everyone within hearing range chuckles. She picks up her pace and makes it to the alter in no time. They share the regular vows, sealing them with a kiss. The whole time, I'm unable to keep my eyes off of Bella. I'm hoping she's thinking the same things as me. Our wedding that will take place soon. She takes my hand as we follow behind Leah and Paul.
*POV VICTORIA*
Taking a job at the local café was probably the greatest idea I ever had. An easy way to be in the know without having to snoop around. All day people come in with a wide range of town gossip. Everything from high school drama to rumors of the local mayor. These senseless humans have no idea how meaningless their stupid little lives are. Word right now is a big wedding down at the Res for one of the wolves. Though it's a thing for this weekend, the most constant gossip has been about this Lauren and the wolf. It didn't take me long to find out the entire story there. Dumb high school kids coming in here every day with the latest about the tragic love triangle. They were a thing till Lauren's broke her poor little heart. She got knocked up and her father made her marry the guy. Now she's divorced and back for the wolf. Only to be faced with rejection. The wolf and vampire are stupid couple goals according to the dumb kids. When the "it" couple got engaged, as a good friend, I went to congratulate them. Also informing them at I would be leaving soon. I wasn't learning anything about the wolves besides their stupid love lives. The local humans didn't know they existed. I'm guessing they keep all their secrets down at the Res. A place I could never go to. I'm ready to get the hell out of here, only being able to see my Jasper here and there does not cut it. I can't wait to travel the world like he promised. I hope by the time I get to him, he's decided to just drop this stupid thing and get on with our lives.
THANKS TO MY FOLLOWERS WHO HAVE BEEN HERE SINCE THE BEGINNING. I APPRECIATE EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU. WELCOME ALL NEW FOLLOWERS. THANK YOU FOR THE FOLLOWS & FAVES! PLEASE REVIEW LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK.
I WAS ASKED WHY EDWARD'S POWER WASN'T ABLE TO SEE VICTORIA'S CONNECTION TO JASPER. REMEMBER, HIS POWER ONLY ALLOWS HIM TO READ THE MIND OF CURRENT THOUGHTS. NOT LIKE ARO WHO COULD SEE EVERYYYYY THOUGHT BY JUST TOUCH. VICTORIA MADE SURE TO FOCUS ALL HER THOUGHTS ON THE CONVERSATIONS BEING HAD.