Her New Moon

38

Driana paced back and forth in the woods. She tried sitting still but found herself standing up again. Her fingers laced to the roots of her hair, yanking them in frustration. The girl tried feeding, but it didn't calm her nerves. Perhaps she needed a Magic 8 Ball to make her decision. The new moon reflected in her golden eyes. Looking at her surroundings, Driana managed to stay calm finally. The clouds covered the sky, shielding any ounce of light on her. Sighing, she cursed herself and trusted her gut. As she walked, the girl made a choice.

The girl took her time, walking at human speed. Being occupied with her thoughts made her forget the fear of being alone at night in the woods. Losing track of the hours, Driana wasn't sure what time it was. One could be positive it was before the time of dawn. Hesitation caused her to pause and mutely sigh as she stood in front of the three-story house. She heard a heartbeat and familiar voices speaking in a not-so-empty living room. Should her thoughts be read, she played it safe. For the first time, she used her powers on one unsuspecting family member.

"All right," She heard Bella speak, watching her through Edward's eyes. "Edward has given the alternative to hide me, a human, from the Volturi. My version is to have me join your family as one of your kind for everyone's safety." Bella clasped her hands, staring at Edward. "It's fair for everyone to have care vote."

"No," Edward voted, and Driana saw his hard face reflecting from Bella's eyes.

Bella sighed. "Alice?"

Alice strutted over to the girl, embracing her. "I already consider you as my sister."

"Jasper?"

Driana pulled away from Edward's eyes, keeping her thoughts blank.

"Yes," Jasper spoke. "Once you're one of us, I won't struggle as much anyway," He joked.

"Rosalie?"

Driana proceeded using her ability on Edward.

"No," Rosalie disagreed, maintaining eye contact with Bella. "I don't mind you being part of the family. But this isn't the life I would've chosen for myself." She stared at Edward before looking down. "And I wish there'd be someone to vote no for me."

Bella nodded. "Em-"

"I vote hell yeah!" Emmett interrupted, wasting no time in hugging Bella. "We can pick a fight with the Volturi some other way."

"Esme?"

"I already consider you part of my family," Esme told her, smiling warmly.

"Edward," Carlisle called.

"Why are you doing this to me?" Edward sighed.

"You've chosen not to live without her," Carlisle said. "It makes sense, leaving me no choice. I will not lose my son."

Driana shook her head in disbelief, reaching for the door. Esme mentioned she was welcome anytime. The girl entered the familiar house and flitted to the living room. Gasps filled the conversation, eyes taking in the girl who was claimed missing and dead.

"Driana?" Bella breathed out.

"Seeing as those who have care get to vote," Driana began, "I guess I'm qualified." She ignored the stares. "Bella, I love you dearly, but I vote no. The beginning of this lifestyle brought me pain. I was innocent, having my human self taken away so early. I wouldn't want the same happening for you." The girl stared at Edward, letting events after the absence of the Cullens pile through her mind. "Enjoy a load of that."

"That was unexpected," Edward said with guilt in his voice. He stepped forward, his eyes filled with horror. "Driana-"

"The unexpected happens," Driana scoffed, crossing her arms over her chest. "And so do accidents." She turned to Bella, softening her gaze. "Carefully consider your choices."

Before anyone could speak, Driana spun on her heels, leaving. A hand latched onto her arm in time as she stepped off the porch. Driana tried shrugging them off, but they didn't budge. Sighing, she faced them, keeping her eyes on the ground.

"I have so much to say," The familiar Texan spoke.

"I have none," Driana icily said.

"Please," Jasper tried. "I didn't want to leave you. I never did. But I was scared for you! If anything happened to you because of me, I would've never been able to live with myself. I cared so much that I ended up fearing the worst. I constantly asked myself how someone could love a monster like me. I realized on Bella's birthday that even if you saw that monstrous side of who I am, you still yearned for me. You've always been right. I should've never drowned myself in cowardice when I needed to accept the truth."

Driana had not lifted her head to meet his gaze. She was afraid she'd break down.

"I was ready to meet you, believing I can return stronger and retry by maintaining focus. But Edward's reasons to leave were so convincing that I considered doing the same," Jasper continued. "When I separated myself from you, I thought I was doing the right thing. I assumed it wasn't going to be difficult. Within the first hour, I was wrong. I tried studying in New York to keep myself busy. No matter how hard I tried, you were always in my mind. I may have a dead heart, but thoughts of you had it beating again."

He held her hand, and Driana couldn't help but stare into his eyes. Those damned golden eyes that made her melt.

"You have to understand," He whispered. "It was for your safety."

Driana chuckled darkly, staring down to squeeze Jasper's hands. Looking up, she gave a small smile. "I was never safe. Look at what happened."

"Driana-"

"Perhaps we'll see each other around, Jasper," She told him. "Goodbye."

Jasper stood still, watching Driana's figure retreat into the woods. He allowed himself to fall onto the steps of the porch. Heaving, the blond had invisible tears running down his cheeks. Clutching his heart, he stared at the hand that held Driana's, wishing he had never let go.