Waxing Crescent (Alice Cullen x Bella Swan)

Chapter 27 - The Dance of Two Lovers p2

The ride to her home, however, was quieter than I had expected. There was a tension—almost electric—that hung between us, palpable yet unspoken. I glanced at her often, searching her face for some kind of clue, anything to indicate what she was thinking. But Alice's expression, perfect and serene as always, revealed nothing. Her beauty was almost maddening in its indifference—an elegant mask that kept her inner world hidden from mine.

In no time at all, we pulled up to her drive and glided smoothly into the garage. Rosalie's red convertible was still absent, but the others were all accounted for—Edward's Volvo, Carlisle and Esme's Mercedes, and Emmett's Jeep sat in their usual places, gleaming under the dim light.

"Are Jasper and Edward home?" I asked, barely registering her swift disappearance before she reappeared beside my door, her movements as silent as they were swift.

"No," She replied, already guiding me out of the car, her cool hand lingering beneath my elbow before drifting lower to the small of my back, her touch light but possessive. "They will be out all night."

I hesitated as we moved toward the stairs, "What about Carlisle and Esme?"

"Also gone," She said, her voice velvet-smooth as always.

"You have a lot of questions tonight, don't you?" Her eyes glittered as they met mine, their molten gold depths holding an intensity that sent a shiver up my spine. She didn't just look at me—she saw me. The heat of her gaze seemed to leave a trail of fire wherever it roamed.

I swallowed nervously, licking my lips, "Just curious, that's all. It's not often we have the house to ourselves."

"Mmm," She hummed, her agreement more of a purr, "Very rare."

I glanced up at the enormous frame of graduation caps lining the wall as we continued ascending the stairs.

"I still don't get why you all insist on repeating high school over and over," I mused, shaking my head, "Most people would call that torture."

Alice's laughter rang out, light and musical, like wind chimes tinkling in a gentle breeze.

"I have explained this to you countless times, love," The sound of her laughter sending familiar flips through my stomach before it tapered, "The younger we start, the longer we can stay in one place without drawing unwanted eyes. And, if you paid closer attention, you would notice those caps are not entirely consistent. We take breaks. Whether to attend university or travel—exploring the world and escaping the mundane trials of high school life—it is not all drudgery. Do you truly think us mad?"

"No," I replied, a smile beginning to tug at the corners of my lips, "Just you."

Her laughter bubbled up again as we reached her bedroom door, and I couldn't help but smile wider at the sound. With her hand still warm and steady against my back, she guided me inside, the soft click of the door shutting behind us... sealing us in.

There it was again. That electricity. That thickness in the air. My skin instinctively warmed, my heart thumping a little faster.

I gave her a nervous glance from beneath my lashes, surprised to find an uncharacteristic hesitance mirrored in her eyes. It was rare to see Alice without her usual bravado or that ever-present impish smirk.

I looked toward the bed, suddenly hyperaware of how tight and constricting my dress felt against my skin.

Gulping, I risked another glance in her direction.

"I-, um, I have an idea," I stammered, my hands fidgeting nervously as I threaded and unthreaded my fingers.

Alice tilted her head, drawing closer with a curious, searching gaze, "Is that so?"