Turmoil [Emmett Cullen] (3)

[17- Newborns]

"Are you serious? A graduation party? At our house?" Alice broke the news to me early Monday morning.

"Why not?"

"Does Bella even want one?"

"Irrelevant." I scoffed. Only Alice would say that.

"Do I have to be there?"

"Yes, you and Emmett both need to make an appearance." I groaned. Classic Alice planning a party at a time like this.

I hurried upstairs, purposely stomping my feet so she would have no doubt of my displeasure.

Emmett was sprawled on our bed, flipping through twenty channels a second on the flat screen, never pausing. I could tell he was looking for a game to watch.

"You heard Alice right?"

He nodded, "It can't be that bad right? We can see all our old high school friends."

I rolled my eyes and joined Emmett on the bed, resting my head in the crook of his arm. He kissed the top of my head and put his hand on mine.

"The Cullens don't make friends."

"Do you actually not want to go? We could ditch. Hunt. Shop. Whatever."

I chuckled, Emmett was so direct. I would have gone to the party and held a grudge against Alice but he was so forward. To Emmett, most things were either black or white, good or bad.

"If we are going to spend an eternity with Alice, it's probably best not to skip the party."

"You're such a good sister."

———
Emmett and I were watching the news on the couch when Edward and Bella came in.

"Hey, Edward. Ditching, Bella?" Emmett grinned.

"We both are," he corrected him.

Emmett laughed. "Yes, but it's her first time through high school. She might miss something."

Edward tossed the Seattle Times where Carlisle and Esme sat.

"Did you see that they're considering a serial killer now?"

Carlisle scanned the article, "They've had two specialists debating that possibility on CNN all morning."

"We can't let this go on."

"Let's go now," Emmett suggested. "I've got nothing better to do."

Edward nodded, "We'll have to go to Seattle sometime."

Carlisle was shaking his head. "I'm concerned. We've never involved ourselves in this kind of thing before. It's not our business. We aren't the Volturi."

"I don't want the Volturi to have to come here," Edward said. "It gives us so much less reaction time."

"And all those innocent humans in Seattle," Esme murmured. "They shouldn't die this way."

"I know," Carlisle sighed.

"Oh," Edward said sharply, turning his head slightly to look at Jasper. "I didn't think of that. I see. You're right, that has to be it. Well, that changes everything."

"I think you'd better explain to the others," he told Jasper, resuming his mindless pacing. "What could be the purpose of this?"

"What is he rambling about?" Alice darted to Jasper's side. "What are you thinking?"

Everyone's eyes moved to him in a combination of curiosity and annoyance. Jasper seemed to take an emotional inventory of the room, his focus settling on Bella.