55*waves white flag* Hold you fire, everyone! I'm still here (though barely ""OTL)! I know you've heard this tons of times now, but I really am sorry for not being able to update. I've been experiencing a writer's block. Not only that, but my laptop also died on me (*cries*). So, I had to wait until it was fixed (computer man said two weeks; reality said one month -_-) and I had to remember the angle I was going for for this particular chapter. I forgot most of it (sadly), but I managed to remember the important parts of this chapter.
Also, I apologize for the writing style. I don't know if it's just me, but it kinda feels like the conversations are kind of random or out of character. I'm still out of it (I feel like I'm on crack ._.). I promise to make it up to you, guys, though. I'mma get out of this stupor real quick, you'll see. ^^
By the way, I'd like to thank those who are still with me here! Thank you for reading and supporting this story! You guys are really awesome. *throws flowers of moe*
Anyway, I don't know when exactly I'll be back, but expect an update this April, at the latest. So, please be patient with me. Thank you! :3
PS: All mistakes are mine, since the story's still unbeta'd. Enjoy~ :)
Chapter Eight: Meeting the Past
What a nice day, she thought to herself, staring out into the school grounds through the window with her hands tucked in her pockets—the picture of ease.
Winter has just begun. Snow was falling softly on the ground as she watched the students of True Cross Academy on the school's elegant courtyard. Some of them were playing with the snow, making forts and snowmen, while others were actually studying under the frostbitten trees—as if it were still spring.
Kids nowadays, honestly,she thought, chuckling internally while peeking at the gaping blonde. She looked really funny with her twitching wide eyes and open mouth. Bella wanted to laugh so badly, but she couldn't—not only because Shura would kill her, but also because it wasn't appropriate. Not at the time, anyway.
"WHAT?!"
She only tilted her head in question to Shura's exclamation. "I really don't know how I could've made that statement confusing for you, Shura."
A vein popped in Shura's head. "I mean… WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?!"
Bella sighed. "I meant exactly that. I'm going to America, Shura."
"Why?"
She sighed again. I really should stop sighing. It's not a good habit, Bella thought to herself.
"Shura, it's the last time I could spend with my real father before I finish high school—well, in age, at least," she said. Finishing both high school and cram school at the same time had not been easy for Bella, but she'd rather do it all over again than go to a real high school with its mediocrities. Then again, bonding with her father was more important than whining about her peers—no matter how atrocious they are. So, to America she goes in January.
"Until when, then?"
"Hmm… About two years, tops."
Yay, she thought sarcastically.
Shura narrowed her eyes at her. "Are you sure that that's the only reason?"
"Yes," she replied, not blinking. "Why else would I go there?"
Despite still looking at Bella with a bit of suspicion, she merely let out a big sigh, smiling a bit. "Fine, fine. Just make sure that you bring back souvenirs."
Internally, Bella sighed in relief. Thank goodness. That was close.
{[(=^_^=)]}
Frozen with shock, Bella could only gape at the rather intimidating figure standing less than five feet away from her. It was as if someone doused her with freezing water, except she couldn't move a muscle. At the back of her mind, she was pretty sure that if an earthquake were to occur, she wouldn't even notice.
The Cullens were also speechless, staring at the person in their doorway. The only way to describe her was daring. From the obscene cut of her bikini top to what seemed to be tattoo marks on her torso, everything about her screams provocative—not exactly a word the Cullens would use to associate Bella with; if anything, she was the exact opposite of this "Shura". However, this woman seemed to know Bella—and vice versa.
The woman only made a sound of frustration and opened her arms wide, facing a stunned Bella. "What, Iz? Don't I deserve one of your fuck-awesome hugs? I did travel all the way from Japan just to see you."
This jolted Bella out of her thoughts and, without preamble, ran to Shura, hugging the living daylights out of her—which Shura returned with equal fervor.
"Holy shit, Shura! You scared the crap out of me!" Bella said with both happiness and a bit of irritation leaking in her voice. "I can't believe you're actually here."
Shura laughed. "You know me. I'm all for instant gratification."
Bella cocked an eyebrow at her. "I don't think that's the right term, Shura."
"Yeah, yeah," Shura waved at her dismissively. "Whatever, grammar Nazi."
Bella was about to give a retort when someone cleared his throat behind them. Carlisle approached the girls warily, trying to make a connection between the two. "Bella?" he asked, motioning towards the dining room. "Can you tell us what's going on?"
Fuck, Bella thought in frustration. I completely forgot about them. Damn Shura and her distractions.
She looked towards the strawberry blonde for help, who only shrugged at her. "Hey, don't look at me. I'm only here to pick you up, remember?"
"Wait, what do you mean 'pick her up'?" Alice asked, slightly panicked. "Don't tell me you're with that crazy clown-man from earlier."
Shura looked at her in surprise and turned to look at Bella—who was in the same state—only for both of them to burst into laughter.
"Holy fuck!" Shura snickered, wiping tears from her eyes. "That's precious!"
"'Crazy clown-man'!" Bella and Shura repeated, grabbing their stomachs as they howled in laughter.
The Cullens only eyed them in confusion as they continued to chortle. For so long, they've always been aware of everything that's going on around them—what with Edward's mind-reading, Alice's visions and Jasper's empathy; not to mention their superior hearing and their level of maturity. If they were being honest to themselves, they're not fond of this development at all—quite frustrated, actually, at not being in the loop.
Jasper was the first to break the silence—with his laughter. It was quite loud—so loud, in fact—that the two girls stopped chuckling.
Shura looked at him carefully before turning to Bella. She pointed at him using her thumb. "Is this guy on crack or is he the empath?"
Bella's eyes widened before snorting. "Empath."
"Must be tough, man," Shura said, giving him a sympathetic look.
Jasper was about to say something when Rosalie suddenly screeched, "What the hell?! You told her, too?" She sped towards Bella and snarled at her. "I don't care if you're Edward's mate. I'm going to kill you!"
Edward growled. How dare she threaten his mate? He was about to defend his love when he noticed how indifferent she looks, as if she wasn't even intimidated by the angry vampire. Why does she look so calm in this situation…?
Emmett quickly held on to Rosalie's shoulders, gently squeezing them. "Rosie, baby, calm down."
"Calm down?!" She shook his hands off her shoulders. "Don't you realize that she's put us in danger? Our family in danger? Once the Volturi gets wind of this, they won't hesitate to annihilate all of us." She pointed at Bella, glaring heavily at Edward. "How are you going to explain this to them, huh, Edward?! What are you going to tell them? 'I couldn't help myself'? That you couldn't think with your—"
Shura groaned, interrupting Rosalie's rant. "Oh, come on! This is the exact same scene I just stopped a while ago!" She cocked her brow at her. "Give us a favor and shut up, darling, why don't you?"
Everyone practically heard Rosalie snap. Bella only sighed. Here we go.
Moving faster than they expected her to, she charged towards the barely dressed woman, her face displaying utter rage. "Why, you—!"
Shura just smirked, dodging the furious blonde minutely, shocking all of the Cullens.
How is that possible? Alice thought, her eyes wide. How could she have dodged Rosalie's attack? Even I was taken by surprise. So, how…?
Shaking off her surprise, Rosalie only growled louder than before, her mind thinking of 101 ways how to tear the stranger's head off before someone could stop her.
"Oh, you want to play?" Shura taunted. "You so sure you can take me on? 'Cause I don't think you're even entertainment, yet, blondie."
Rosalie crouched, baring her teeth at her. "Don't be so cocky, you slut. Don't think you can just waltz into a coven full of vampires and get away with it without a scratch."
Shura stiffened, her aura growing darker. "Oh, it's so on, you bitch!"
"Baby, no—!"
"Rosalie, no!"
"Don't—!"
"Rose!"
"Wha—?!"
Just as she began her chant, a resounding 'poof!' was heard in the room, startling everyone in the room. As the smoke cleared, their eyes widened for the umpteenth time. In the middle of the living room stood a huge, green creature, a bright red leash on its neck. As if breaking the tense silence, it croaked.
Shura relaxed her stance, looking at her best friend incredulously. "Seriously, Iz? Of all the things you could've done, you call your familiar?"
Bella only glared at her before sighing, her grip on the leash tightening slightly. I really have to stop doing that. She closed her eyes before facing the Cullens.
"I owe you guys an explanation. I know it's not in my place and I know that it's not fair, but," she said imploringly, "please give me a chance to say my piece before you speak. Just give me this and I won't ask any more from you ever again."
Still stunned by the events, Carlisle can only nod before Bella began her tale.
End of Chapter Eight.
As usual, tell me what you guys think. :))
PS: Do you guys like it better this way, or should I make it more serious? Please comment. Thanks! ^^
