The Selection: Third Generation

Ch. 25: Telling A Story

Diana's POV

I storm down the hallway back toward the theater room. My chest feels heavy with hurt and anger. How dare Carlisle? First of all, after the night I spent bonding with Arabella, all I want is for her hurt to go away. She is now my first and only best friend. Second of all, all Carlisle ever talks to us about is how much he loves Arabella, and how he wants to propose and how special she is. He goes on and on and on about his love for her. And he knows damn well that Isabella is the last person he should be sneaking around with at night. Especially to do the thing it seemed they were going in there for.

As I approach the room, I hear his frustrated sigh and Isabella's annoying voice penetrating the air.

"Honestly, Carlisle, does it embarrass you that much to be seen with me? I mean, why am I here then? Oh right, you just want me for-"

"Get. out." I scream at her, barging in.

"Excuse me? This is a private conversation," She says, turning her venom on me. Carlisle is against the wall, a hand hiding his face.

"Excuse you is correct. It would behoove you to remember that you are currently speaking to royalty. That goes for me and my brother. Now, get out before I have you thrown out." I seethe.

She stares at me for a few moments, looks at Carlisle who is still being a coward, and then storms out. I stare at Carlisle until he raises his head to look at me.

"You don't even need to say it," he says, walking to try to go past me and leave. Not today, big bro.

"Oh, but I do, Carlisle." I stop him, blocking his exit with my body. "All you do is talk about how much you love Arabella, but if that was true, why were you in here with another girl at this time? And, seriously? Isabella of all girls?"

"Yes! Yes, okay. Isabella, of all girls. Is it that hard to figure out why? I love Arabella. But, Isabella offers things that Ara is not yet ready to give. I hate myself for it. But in the moment, I can never say no." His tone is defense and he squares his shoulders to me, but his eyes and his face are weighed down with guilt. At least he has the damn sense to feel guilty.

"Well, if you do not start, brother, Arabella will be the one saying no soon. End this. Or you will surely lose her." I say, my face a mere inch from his and every ounce of Isabella-inspired venom in my voice. I turn and leave, going straight to Arabella's room to make sure that she is okay.

Carlisle's POV

Sweat pours down my face, my neck, my chest. My entire body is soaked. The salt from my sweat joins with the salt from the tears I had been crying. My fists burn and I grunt, but I do not stop. I am in the gym, taking out my issues on a poor punching bag. My hands are wrapped, but they will surely still be covered in bruises after this. I punch and swing and kick, trying to stop the guilt that weighs me down.

What was I even thinking? I mean, clearly, I haven't been. Especially with Arabella having to have me kick out Dayne. Dayne. The name burns through me as I regain my energy, pretending the punching bag is him. Every muscle in my body burns. I keep going, punishing myself. Thinking of how I probably deserve to be the punching bag almost as much as Dayne does.

After everything Arabella has been through, I couldn't wait for her?

Even without knowing what happened to her so many years ago, I should have waited for her. She is my whole world. She deserves better than me.

"Carl? What are you doing? Have you even gotten any sleep?" My mother bombards me. I stop swinging and step back from the punching bag to look at her. She gasps when she fully takes in my appearance. I am sure I look terrible.