Nessie's Life

Chapter 15

I smiled at the scene in front of me. This was the exact vision that Alice had seen a couple days ago in the woods. She and Jasper appeared at the top of the stairs, holding hands and smiling.

I sat in between Jake and dad on the couch, and mom was standing behind me, rubbing my shoulders. Carlisle stood just to our right, with his arm around Esme.

When they reached the bottom of the stairs, Alice came and hugged each of us. Just like most people, when she got to me, she was surprised that I hadn't grown since the last time I saw her.

I laughed and said, "Nope, I'm just like you now. Except not nearly as pretty." She put her hand on her mouth and looked like she would have cried if it was possible. In a flash she was squeezing me tightly.

She whispered in my ear, "I've missed you so much, Nessie. I'm definitely taking you shopping tomorrow!" I fought back a groan. I had gotten a bit tired of new clothes, which is understandable due to the first years of my life spent with Alice and Rosalie continuously buying me things. I was almost as bad as mom when it came to shopping. But I just smiled at Alice, not wanting to ruin this perfect moment.

I looked up to see Carlisle embrace Jasper and pat him on the back. He simply said, "Welcome home, son." It was all that was needed. I ran to get my hug from Jazz, and then we heard tires pulling up.

I knew who it would be, and I was practically jumping up and down with excitement. I heard large feet clomp up the porch steps, accompanied by the smaller clank of heels. Right before the door opened, dad grabbed my arm.

"Quick Ness, hide." I giggled and dived behind the couch. The door swung open, and uncle Emmett's voice echoed throughout the room.

"Sorry we missed all the excitement, but we're here now, and we're ready to party!" I heard several chuckles. I fought to hold my laughter in. "Hey, Alice. Glad you're back. Nice to see you too, man." I knew he was talking to Jasper now. "Back from you little love adventure? The quest to save your sweetheart?"

Jasper didn't respond, but I could picture his glare. That's how most people responded to Emmett's jokes. Finally, I heard Rosalie's voice.

"I'm so glad you guys are back. We were really worried! I was hoping..." she was interrupted by Emmett.

"Wait a second. Where's Nessie?"

Dad replied in an oh-so-serious tone. "She uh... well, she's not here. Aro took her."

Rosalie hissed. I clamped my hand over my mouth to stop the giggles from escaping.

"What?" boomed Emmett. "Aro... t-took her? Why are we all standing here then? Let's go get her!"

I thought the joke had gone far enough. I jumped up and over the couch, yelling "Boo!" I landed right in front of Emmett. A huge grin erupted on his face. He immediately picked me up and spun me around, even though I was almost as tall as him now.

He plopped me on the couch, and then he grabbed his bicep, pretending to be in pain. "Gosh, Ness. You're huge! What have they been feeding you?"

I rolled my eyes. Then I noticed something. "Hey guys, do you realize that this is the first time we've all been together since we lived in Denali?"

Everyone smiled. It was just the ten of us, and no one else. Eleazar had gone back to be with Carmen as soon as the Aro business was over. I couldn't imagine a more perfect family.

The rest of the night was the most fun I had ever had. We played piano, watched a movie, and played Just Dance (vampire style) until Jake and I passed out right in the living room.

My happiness didn't fade even when mom shook me awake to go to school the next day. Since there was no longer a threat in Forks, Jacob had decided to move here with us.

And because he would have nothing to do all day, I convinced him to come to school with us. He didn't want to because he was scared that we would make him feel stupid and he hated high school the first time, but I guess being with me outweighed all the negatives.

He had the same schedule as me, and he was posing as a family friend who was staying with us because his parents had died in a car crash. That part was halfway true. I was super excited, but the only thing worrying me was that our friends would react to him the way they reacted to dad.

But with Jacob it would be ten times worse, because he was mine. I tried to shake those thoughts out of my head as we pulled into the school. I felt a little bad for Jacob, but also happy because I wasn't the newbie anymore.

In home room, I introduced him to Mackenzie, Beth, Jade, and Elle. We later overheard them in the hall debating over whether Jacob was hotter than Edward. Mackenzie and Jade chose Jacob. Beth and Elle thought the answer was obviously Edward. I groaned, but Jake smiled.

When it was time for lunch, he piled as much as possible onto his tray. I just nabbed an apple. After paying, he pulled me to the side.

"I hate to ask you this Ness, but would you mind sitting with me today instead of with your friends? I have something to talk to you about." I nodded, following him to one of the few empty tables.

I looked to where Shelley's group was sitting. They were looking our way in disappointment. I knew that it wasn't because of me. I turned back to Jacob.

"So, what's on your mind?"