Charlotte

Nineteen: Destiny

Charlotte POV

It had been a few weeks since the bonfire. Billy was still working on convincing my dad to let me stay at his. I was quite happy though, almost every night I'd been accompanied by either Paul or Jacob. Honestly, sleeping with a wolf is the best sleep I've ever gotten. They're so warm.

"I got 3 tickets to go see mom," Bella mumbled as she stepped into my room. She didn't even look shocked at Paul's presence in my bed.

"Me, you, who else?" I asked, praying it wasn't the vampire.

"Edward." Of course it was Edward. I glanced at Paul, already able to sense his distrust.

"When is it?"

"Friday." It was Sunday fucking night.

"I'll let you know," and she retreated from my room.

"I don't think you should go. It'd be fine with me or Jake, but not with him," Paul growled.

"I know, but he won't let her go if one of you come with me. Unfortunately, we've fell in love with mortal enemies."

"Love?"

"I'm getting sleepy," I mumbled, blush filling my cheeks. I turned away and clicked the lamp off, cuddling up to him so that he couldn't see my face. He stayed quiet, running his hands through my hair as I drifted off. 

I woke up alone, and got myself up ready for school. I made my way downstairs, catching Bella and my Dad in the middle of a conversation. I sipped my coffee, listening intently. They were discussing Seattle, apparently there were loads of murders. Dad reckons it's a serial killer, but he says it's weird, there's no pattern. I suppose he'll know more than the media will, being in the police and all. I'm not worried, I've got two handsome shapeshifters to keep me safe. Bella's got a piece of marble as well, so she will be okay.

-----

It was Friday. Jake and Paul had both come round, each of them lecturing me to stay safe, smothering me in kisses and cuddles. I currently sat in the back of Edward's car, Bella in the front. I could see the boys both arguing with the leech, a quiet conversation, but easy to read. All three had similar defensive stances, crossed arms and scowls. I could see Paul twitching and was terrified he was gonna shift right in front of my house. But he didn't and Edward retreated back to the car, settling in the driver's side. I waved at my boys as we passed them, clutching the note with their phone numbers on, in my other hand. They expected me to ring both of them as soon as we landed, when I got to mom's, and every morning and night. Oh, and when I leave mom's and when I get to the airport to come back, and when I land. And as soon as I'm back home. They're so protective. 

The journey with Bella and Edward was awful. They're so PDA. He basically eye fucks her every time he looks at her. I mean that's also like Sam and Emily, and Jared and Kim, but I like those guys so it's fine. And Sam and Jared aren't creepy, cold, marble people. They're warm and human. I also know he can hear my every thought, that's the worst part. 

Mom was so happy to see us, swooping us into her arms. She also tried it with Edward, but he pulled back. He was as cold as his skin, making minimal conversation with Renee. And yet, she was enthralled by him, insisting on how charming he was. Why was I so immune to his powers? It seems like everyone at school thought the Cullens were amazing, and so did mom. And even dad  thought that Dr Cullen and the little, weird one were amazing. But I saw right through  it. I'd seen right through it on my first day, when I'd ended up next to the big one in one of my classes. Why doesn't their charm work on me?

I'd been pondering this whilst sat indoors, with the leech himself. Bella was outside with Renee, they were sunbathing. I'd ended up with sunburn the day before, and had been banished to staying inside by both Paul, Jacob, and surprisingly, Embry, who had overheard the conversation.

"Vampire's have powers," Edward mumbled, his voice low as he approached me. He sat opposite me at the dining table. What was he even on about?

"That's why I can read minds, Alice can see the future, Jasper can manipulate emotions."

"How is this relevant to me and my resistance to leech charm?" I sneered.

"These powers usually stem from human behaviours, I was particularly perceptive as a human. Thus, I can read minds. Bella, I can't read hers. I struggle to hear yourself and your fathers. You, if you became a vampire, may have some sort of resistance based power. Similar to Bella really, but she can't resist the "charm" as you put it," he explained. But that made no sense why I didn't respond, as a human. 

"It also makes no sense why Bella has a natural shield, it's just how we work," he explained, laughing bitterly, "it's like some are destined to become supernatural creatures." 

I scowled at him. I will never become a vampire. I'd rather die. And with that, I stalked off, opting to go burn in the sun with my sister and mom.

"We were just talking about Bella and Edward," Mom giggled as I sat on a sun lounger next to her, "do you have a boyfriend Charlie?"

I nodded. Of course she'd forgotten. I had told her this already, 4 times on this trip alone. Whilst being Renee's favourite was hardly something to celebrate, it was worse not being the favourite. She hung on to Bella's every word, but forgot everything that came out of my mouth. Bella truly might be destined to be a vampire, she already charmed everyone. When we'd first started at Forks High, everyone had been obsessed with the new girl, seemingly forgetting that there were two new girls. It was like I faded into the background, invisible. 

"Oh and what's he called?"

"Jacob," I muttered glumly.

"Oh! Is that Bella's friend? The boy from the reservation?"

I can't wait to go home. 

Paul's Pov

This vampire chick was a nightmare. She'd just leaped onto our side of the border and I bolted after her, Embry following close behind. I could hear the chatter in my head growing louder as more of the pack shifted and joined the chase.

I was gaining on her. I took a chance, nipping at her jacket, only for her to dodge and leap over the border. I slammed the brakes on, Embry slamming into the back of me. Dick.

We followed closely, watching as the Cullen's followed her on their side. They weren't as fast as her, and she easily outran them. The only one that came close to her was the big one, with the other ones having to focus more on trapping her than actually catching up to her. 

We kept pace easily, and she dove back over to our side, followed by one of them. I didn't think before I met him in mid air, his hard body slamming into me.

I snapped and snarled at him, but he dodged, falling into the river. He was in no man's land now.

He pulled himself up, his fangs on full display as he growled at me, and I met him, growling right back. But he retreated. Shame. I would've enjoyed taking a chunk out of him.

"Paul, you let her get away," Embry whined at me through the chat link as I caught back up to him.

"Too bad. He shouldn't be on our side."

Embry knew I was right, and so he didn't respond. Patrol went as normal, but it felt weird to not even sneak off once to go see Lottie, to make sure she was okay. I can't wait for her to come home.