Edward!Alice bellowed from her head while skipping up the stairs towards me.
The cloudy, blurry vision from earlier today was instantly clear. No longer did she see Bella's lifeless form lying in the bracken of the forest floor. My eyes no longer glowed that ominous red.
When she reached me at the top of the stairs she grinned widely while practically jumping on me to wrap her tiny arms around my neck.
"Thank you, Edward!" Alice was jubilant.
I nodded and returned her hug, releasing her quickly because I was on a mission.
Have fun at Bella's. I suppose you won't tell her hi for me, will you?
For the first time since I entered the house this afternoon, my lips twitched up into a smile, completely opposite from my previous grimace. My stomach was doing back flips at the thought of being with her again.
I couldn't stand being away from her any longer.
I dashed through the forest towards her house as if someone was lighting a fire beneath my feet. As I took off I heard faded thoughts from Alice.
I wonder what happened to change the vision? I hope Edward starts letting me hang out with her. Just two more days...She was counting down. Then I saw images of her dressing a blushing Bella up and playing with her hair like she was a doll.
I rolled my eyes, but instantly craved for this to come true.
I was sitting in the rocking chair in Bella's room. Her warm delicious scent was swirling around me and I was sucking it slowly into my lungs with each breath. I was willing myself to stay away from her. A feat much harder than one would realize.
Tonight, she was not sleeping soundly. I watched as she tangled herself into the blankets early on in the evening.
I stood. Realizing I was unable to help her, I sat. The chair was my prison, holding me in my seat. She was the dessert across the table from a kid who had to eat broccoli. The temptation would never go away, yet each second I grew stronger against my will to rush over and hold her. I couldn't allow myself to do something so foolish. It was about her now. What she wants, what she needs. I had to toss my selfishness away as best I could, even though my presence was selfish enough.
She tossed again. I got up once more, my hands reaching out like I could help. My touch was too cold...wrong. I seated myself back into my prison.
I sighed. With the quick intake of air the burning persisted in my dry throat. Each breath brought me pleasure and torture. Mainly torture, though her scent reminded me of how alive she is.
"Edward..." she mumbled in her sleep.
This was not the first time this evening that she murmured my name in her sweet magical voice. Each sound or movement was watched by me as she continued to tangle herself in the sheets.
I couldn't help but worry that she wasn't having a good dream. I was a monster after all.
She woke a few times in the night, startled from her dream - or nightmare - but I was stealthy enough to hide. She never caught me but I wondered what she would think if she did. Would she finally scream? Would she shriek at the sight of the peeping tom that I had become? Would she turn her deep gaze towards me and beg me to leave and never come back?Anguish fell over me at the thought. This must be why I continued to hide every time I saw her eyes flutter.
She tossed again, holding her pillow tightly while a small sigh escaped her lips.
"Edward...mmmmm."
Once again my heart leapt at the sound of my name on her breath.
As the night progressed she settled into a deeper sleep, finally calm and unmoving. In the earlier hours of the morning I saw her shudder and watched as goose bumps arose on her skin.
Without thought I was standing, walking over to her, leaning down, hand out stretched before my mind finally caught up with my actions. Indecision was deep in my thoughts.
Another breath.
More fiery thirst.
I wasn't sure if it was the monster or my protective side, but without thinking I reached out to unravel her blanket to cover her. As I slowly moved the blanket over her I accidently touched her arm. Or was it an accident?
It was if a million little electrodes sent pleasant shocks down my spine. I closed me eyes to take in her aroma.
She was soft...warm.
I quickly held my breath but realized that if I were going to stay with her that I had to overcome my thirst, my ever growing desire to crush her to my body and dig my teeth deep into her neck.
Another breath.
My mouth was instantly full of venom. The monster inside of me was clawing at my chest bones, trying to break free of my body and drink the most delicious blood that ever existed. I grabbed at my chest trying to push the monster back in when suddenly I felt something vibrate. It was my phone.
Alice. I swallowed the pool of venom pouring into my mouth.
Leaping out of her window I answered the phone. I opened my mouth to speak but before I could say hello Alice began pleading in her bell voice.
"Edward! Please!"
My hand automatically met the bridge of my nose. She was my favorite and the most irritating of my family.