We Three Witches (Twilight)

Chapter 17 - The Path To Hell is Paved With Good Intentions

Rosalie

February, 25th , 2003

I rested my forehead against the cool glass of the car window as my mind whirled with suspicion and unease. Alice had called for a meeting at the Cullen's house but had been entirely too evasive when I'd asked what Bella thought of it. I had meant to ask our elder sister directly but for some reason Alice kept getting in the way.

I couldn't figure out why—was she hiding something? Had Bella told her something important that they wanted to share with everyone at once? But if so, why couldn't they tell me? What was so important we had to have an emergency meeting at the house of our enemy, and I couldn't be told beforehand?

I wanted to believe there was nothing wrong, but my gut told me that I wouldn't like whatever was going on. And that was what concerned me the most. My sisters and I rarely had conflict, and never anything serious. The most serious thing we had fought over was which electives we would take when we first moved here.

I mentally shook myself. It's probably nothing. Maybe Alice got impatient and proposed to Jasper. Or maybe she's planning to elope and Bella doesn't approve.

That would make sense—Bella had never been overly fond of elopement. Growing up at the time we had meant there was always a stigma surrounding elopement. Bella was of the opinion that it smacked of shame, and a reason for a hasty marriage.

"Where are you?"

I blinked over at Emmett sitting in the driver's seat, watching me with steady eyes—ignoring the road entirely in a way that made my heart skip a beat.

There's something about his full attention that makes me feel like the most important person in the world.

"Right here with you," I smirked. "Or can you not see me?"

"Oh I see you." The corner of his lips twitched. "I was just wondering where in your pretty little head you've run off to."

I winced. 'Don't worry your pretty little head about it' was something Vincent had always said to me every time I tried expressing any of my worries. To hear those words come out of Emmett's mouth left a rancid taste in my mouth that had me turning to stare out the window to avoid snapping at him.

When I'd called the hotline last week, the relationship counsellor had advised me to stop comparing Emmett with my other suitors. That everything has the potential to trigger a painful or traumatic memory, and while what I've learned from my past has helped me survive, I can't let that ruin my future.

She also suggested I share with Emmett what makes me uncomfortable and communicate openly with him. But I didn't think I could do that right now without losing my temper entirely, so I chose not to say anything at all.

I took a few deep breaths until my irritation subsided. There was no need to ruin this by taking my anger out on him.

Emmett was a fun distraction to all this new hell Victoria had brought on, and I wasn't quite ready to end it. I knew nothing would come of it—nothing worthwhile ever did. No matter my wish to the contrary. Besides, hadn't Bella let me know in her own way that she approved of Emmett as a distraction but nothing more?

She didn't interrogate him the way she had with my past suitors, nor did she glare at him to test if he would be frightened off by a sister's disapproval. She did nothing that she usually did when considering a man seriously for either me or Alice.

Knowing Emmett was expecting a response I answered truthfully. "I'm wondering what Alice wants to tell us all." I paused, then added in a partially joking tone. "I've just about convinced myself that Alice is in the family way and is planning to elope with Jasper before having his love child."