Nessie's Life

Chapter 8

Mackenzie started talking immediately as if our earlier conversation had never stopped.

"Yay, you're here! See, Sutton! I told you they wouldn't bail."

Dad sat next to me, with Mom on his left. We were at a circular table, so everyone could stare directly at us.

Mackenzie turned to us. "You guys are so cool! I've never actually met triplets before. I mean, I'm friends with these two," she said, pointing at two girls who were obviously sisters. One of them was glaring at me. She must have been the one who had insulted my hair.

"But twins aren't nearly as cool as triplets. So, like, what do you guys like to do? I like to dance."

I had hardly noticed when she asked the question, because all I could think about was apologizing to Shelley. But Mackenzie wasn't giving Shelley a chance to talk.

Dad answered for all of us. "Nessie likes to dance, as well. Bella is more into reading. I personally enjoy playing the piano."

I looked around the table. Every single pair of eyes was glued on him. I imagined what it must be like in his head, hearing the uncensored thoughts of all those girls.

Since Mackenzie was now speechless, I decided to take the attention off of him. I said to Shelley, "I'm so sorry about your leg! I feel terrible."

"Thank you for saying that, but why are you apologizing? It's not your fault. I mean, come on, it's not like you knocked me all the way across the room by yourself." A few of the girls giggled.

Of coarse she didn't blame me. How could I have that much strength? But then, she must have some explanation. Before I could ask what she thought had hit her, my mom quickly changed the subject.

I felt weird. I was glad that she wasn't mad at me, but at the same time I felt that she should know the truth. I knew that my parents and grandpa Carlisle would not want me to confess, but I felt like I needed to.

While I was thinking, mom asked Mackenzie to introduce the other girls to us.

She pointed around the table. "You already know Shelley and I. This is Sutton, and then Beth. Jillian and Jade are twins, and that's Elle. We're all sophomores just like you guys. We sit here every day and you can always join us!" She looked straight at dad when she said this.

Ugh. I should have just invited mom and not him. I was about to touch his cheek swiftly to tell him not to sit here tomorrow, when his expression suddenly changed.

Mom and I exchanged a quick glance. We knew he was hearing something alarming in someone's thoughts.

Before anyone else could notice, I asked Shelley how long she would be on crutches. The conversation went on as if nothing had happened.

I was dying to know what dad had heard. Was Aro here already? I noticed that Shelley's face was confused, and she kept looking at dad. She must have noticed that something was wrong. She was more observant than the others.

When the bell rang, I followed my parents to the parking lot where we could talk in private.

Dad explained, "Aro is here. I heard him deliberating over where he should hide. Alice is also near, but she went straight to Carlisle's house so she was never close enough for me to hear her thoughts. Wait. I can hear Aro again. He's wondering how we could possibly sit and talk with humans like that. Oh..." he cut off suddenly.

"Edward? Edward, what is it?"

"Alice."

I sighed in relief, my hand reaching for his face. He brushed it away.

"Aro was not lying. She wants to be a part of his guard. She's confused as to why Carlisle wants her to stay with us. She barely remembers Jasper. It's Alice's thoughts, but it's not Alice."