Paradoxes Found

Chapter 23: What A Good Day For Hiking

"Bella..."

"Wha-? Who's there?"

"It's me..."

"Stop fucking with me! Kat, is that you?"

"Wrong. Lemme give you a hint: it's a certain person who you despise."

"Wait! It's-"

I jerk awake from the dream. It was all just plain darkness, and that voice. It sounded so familiar. I crawl over to the front of the tent and peek out, seeing that it was daylight, but nobody was outside. I looked beside me and could tell that the big, hunched, flat ball in the sleeping bag next to mine was probably Raven, shielding herself from the blinding light. I stretch my arms and lurk outside of the tent. It was a beautiful morning - the birds chirping, the feeling of wet grass on my feet from the morning dew, etc. I stalk over to the log and sit down, enjoying the view.

"Hey."

"Huh-?!" I jump and fall backwards, seeing Alex.

"Sorry, didn't mean to frighten you."

"Well it hurts more than being scared.." I rub the back of my head as I sit up.

"...Well anyway..." He says, as he sits next to me. "What are you doing early this morning?"

"I should ask you the same." I say to defend myself, nodding to the tree that is blocking the sunlight from reaching his pale skin.

"Nothing much. You?"

"I'm just an early bird at times". I look up at the trees.

"I'm not surprised." He looks down at his feet, then suddenly standing up. "I'm gonna wake up Tim, be right back." And in a flash, Alex was already in the tent.

I yank my phone from my pj pocket and look at the time, but only to see a lot of, what seemed like, raging text messages from Kat. I look at the blazing screen as the wind whispered in my ear. I slid my thumb across the screen and started texting back, my fingers tip-tattering away.

Me: What's going on?
Kat: Hah, funny, I was gonna ask you the same! 3:<
Me: Woah, easy tiger! Are you mad because I left?
Kat: ... Maybe. :P
Me: Well, did you go to my house? Did you see the note in the kitchen?
Kat: No, I was too busy raiding the fridge o-o
Me: *facepalm* I'm with Tim's fam for the weekend.
Kat: Ah, meeting the family I see :3
Me: Yep.
Kat: Well, I hope you have fun meeting Alex and Raven! ;)

I sigh and shove my phone back into my pj pocket, exactly when Tim and Alex walk towards me.

"Morning Bell." Tim settles beside me on the log as he puts his arms around my waist. I lean into his chest and inhale the scent of fresh lumber being sawed.

So this is what the outdoors smells like, hah. I'm really bad at jokes.

I pull away and look at Alex, an impatient look on his face. "Okay you two lovebirds, can we go now?"

"Where are we going?" I turn from Alex's gaze to Tim's, confusion tugged at me.

"Well, we were gonna go for a run..."

"How in the hell am I suppose to keep up with vampires?!"

"You won't need to." Tim smirked and lifted me up from the ground. I let out a surprised yelp as I'm settled on his back. "Not only do we have speed," he shifts my arms around his neck, not too tight. "but we also have strength."

From the corner of my eye, I can see Raven emerge from our tent, all dressed in black. Her purple highlight swayed in the wind as she strides over to our side.

I'm ready, let's go."

Before I know it, we haven taken off. Everything is a blur, whizzing past trees, the greens colors of the forest flash before me.

"I-I feel dizzy.."

"Oh, I should've told you to close your eyes before we took off."

I squeeze my eyes shut; tightening my grip around Tim's neck, trying not to choke him. I can feel the wind brushing my hair back, then it feels like we're flying. It's like there was nothing happening.

"Bell, you can open your eyes now." Tim's voice coos.

I open one eye, unsure of where we were. When I opened the other, the most beautiful sight was laid before me. There was a enormous lake with a small waterfall, and it was surrounded by majestic flowers.

"This is pretty cool.." Raven murmurs, walking over towards the back of the waterfall.

"You bet!" Alex gawks at the scenery, striding towards the lake.

"Hey, let's go check out the flowers!" I tug on Tim's shirt, eager for him to follow.

When we make our way to the flowers, Tim tackles me playfully to the ground. I lay my head on his torso, as he wraps his around my neck. We're surrounded by trees so thick that no sunlight could peek through. I close my eyes, the sound of his heartbeat slowing makes me drift off into a deep sleep.

A.N: Hello and I deeply apologize for this being really late! I couldn't really think of anything else to write in this chapter; but there is more to come, and it'll be better than ever!