My Angel E.C.

Ch.13

"Edward!" Elizabeth stamped her foot like a child. "Why not?"
I turned my back on her, and leaned forward against the kitchen counter so I could smile at her little tantrum without being discovered.
"Because."
The kiss from a few weeks ago seemed to be long forgotten as Elizabeth and I returned to normal terms, though it was slightly awkward at first. Strange how the first kiss hadn't resulted in as much discomfort around each other.
She jumped onto my back, and I quickly grabbed her legs so she wouldn't fall; it was almost like a routine with her. I wasn't really surprised when she did it anymore; I sort of expected it.
"But why? It'll be fun! It's not like you'll have to leave your apartment if you don't want to. Besides you may see another vampire or two."
I pulled her up so that I had a better grip. "Yes, six year old vampires with capes and fake teeth, running around, asking for candy. My kind awaits."
Elizabeth giggled into my neck. "I don't see what the problem is. We're just going to be watching movies all night anyway. You might as well show the world you're still alive, well-"
She cut herself off, and I rolled my eyes. "Hilarious."
"Yes, it was. So what's the problem? It's Halloween in a few days, you're door bell will most likely be rung. Why won't you go get candy for trick-or-treaters?"
"Because, Elizabeth, I don't want to interact with people yet, human or not."
"You walk past them every day, though."
"That's different."
She sighed. "You're going to have to start somewhere, Darling. Giving candy to little kids on the one day you won't be considered a creep for it is as good a place as any."
I shook my head. The things she says. . .
"You played in the snow with me, just think of this as another game. I thought you like playing games with me."
I sighed, hearing the pout in her voice. "Will I have to wear a costume?"
"Absolutely."
***
"Who invented this holiday anyway?"
"There are a bunch of theories. I think it was the Celtics, no, the Romans. Hold on." Elizabeth put her hand through a small gap in my bedroom doorway and held up a finger, signaling for me to wait as she thought. "It might have been the Germans, actually."
I nodded, pouring another bag of sweets into a large bowl. Two bags had already been spent on witches, goblins, and others of the sort. Elizabeth and I had been watching horror films between the frequent doorbell rings, and she decided now would be a good time to insist we change into our costumes because I had been so adamant not to before. She was in my room because she didn't want me to see her costume until she finished.
"Are you sure?"
"Positive. It was the Celtics."
I paused, looking up to see her hand retreat back into the room. "Now, are you sure?"
"Yupp, the Celtics."
I smiled. "Alright."
I heard a "meow" from the floor next to me and looked down to see a witch's hat fastened to Molly's small head.
"She got you too?" I asked her. The cat blinked once before trying to bat the hat off with her paw without any luck.
"Did you put your cape on?" Elizabeth called.
I sighed. "Yes."
"Your teeth?"
"Elizabeth, yes, though I don't really need them, do I? May I see your costume now, considering how you picked mine?"
"Well, you turned down everything else I suggested. Dracula? Really? It's so unoriginal. You should've have at least reconsidered the football player idea. You would've looked cute in shorts."
I rolled my eyes, thankful I wasn't able to blush, but judging from her chuckles, she could feel my embarrassment from the comment.
"Yes, well, I figured I'd be more comfortable being a little bit more myself even with the irony. Besides, it was a little difficult to consult, let alone reason, with you, seeing as a few people thought I'd been talking to myself."
"Fair enough."
I took a step towards the door and repeated my question. "Does that mean I can see your costume?"
"I'm right here."
I turned around. Elizabeth was standing in front of me. I resisted the urge to do a double take as I snapped my widened eyes away from her costume. It was. . .short. Not very, but also not reaching mid-thigh.
"Um. . ."
She smirked.
"What's wrong? Don't you like it?" she asked, twirling around a bit, knowing the answer very well. I grabbed her shoulders to stop her movement.
"No, no. It's nice."
Very nice.
She grinned, adjusting her dress, which did fit her very well.
I had to stop thinking like that.
"What made you choose that costume?"
"Oh, I don't know. I've always loved the Mad Hatter. He's always the life of the party."
I coughed, shaking my head a little. Again with the cough? Elizabeth chuckled.
The doorbell rang.
Saved by the bell. How cliché.
A little girl and boy, dressed as a fairy and a fireman, stood outside the door, clutching small pails. Their older sister stood behind them.
Elizabeth appeared next to me. "Don't be so stiff, Darling. Show those pearly whites."
I gave the kids, then the sister, a smile, which she returned. He's cute, her thoughts said as her eyes quickly scanned me up and down. I wouldn't mind if he took a bite out of me any day.
I mentally cringed, but kept the smile on my face. From the corner of my eye, I could see Elizabeth frowning at her.
"Trick-or-treat!" the children exclaimed with grins.
I offered the bowl of candy to them. "Don't you two look wonderful? Happy Halloween."
"Thanks, mister," the two said before walking away, stopping a little way down the hall and waiting for their sister.
She cleared her throat, and a smirk formed on her lips as she took a step forward. "Hey, my name's Sarah. We live across the complex, and I've seen you around."
"Um. . ?" Elizabeth hummed with slight confusion.
I nodded. "Hello."
"So, there's a massive party going on downtown." She handed me a flyer. "Come check it out."
I glanced at Elizabeth. She shrugged. "Your call, but I don't see why not."
I would love nothing more than to say no, and continue the night by staying in with Elizabeth, but maybe she was right. I should interact with the outside world more, but a party filled with insolent teens? It wasn't exactly my cup of tea.
"Better say something. She's feeling a little too eager for your answer."
I laughed, and Sarah furrowed her eyebrows. "So, is that no?"
"Oh, sorry, I wasn't laughing at you. . . never mind. I was actually planning on staying in tonight." I gave another quick glance at Elizabeth. "I have a friend coming over, and-"
"Oh, that's great! You both can come! The more the merrier, I mean. It's supposed to be epic."
Elizabeth laughed sensing my discomfort. "Just go ahead, Edward. It sounds like fun. I'll go with you, if you'd like."
I finally nodded. "Sure."
Sarah grinned. "Great. See you there."
She winked before going back to her impatiently waiting siblings.
I closed the door, and Elizabeth rested her elbow on my shoulder. "You know, crazy thought, but I think she was flirting with you."
"Really what gave you that idea?" I asked with a chuckle.
"Her emotions. Disgusting what teens these days feel sometimes."
"Her thoughts were not much more fun. Why do you think this is a good idea?"
Elizabeth shrugged. "You need to get out more. Anyway, I'd actually like to see what these kind of parties look like now. I've spied on a few, but none for a while."
I shrugged. "Alright. If you want to go, we can go, though don't expect me to be much of the party type."
She took the flyer from my hand and squealed. "It's a costume party. You'll have to wear that. Yay!"
I rolled my eyes, but was amused at her excitedness nonetheless. "Here, I'll put in another movie."
Grinning, she adjusted her hat before jumping onto the couch.
I took a seat next to her, and Molly joined almost immediately. Our monster moviecation continued.
***
The walk was quieter than I'd have expected. Well, to be fair, we did take a less public route through the woods, courtesy of Elizabeth.
She kept twirling around and spreading her arms out as she walked. I walked behind her, watching her with a smile.
"You seem happy," I commented as she finally fell to the ground into a pile of leaves.
Elizabeth laughed. "It's the Day of the Dead, Edward. This is the day spirits are celebrated instead of feared. We are remembered. Knowing that makes me happier even though there is no one to remember me anymore."
Her smile faltered near the end, but picked up again as she extended her hand for me to aid her. I grabbed her arm, but, instead of pulling her up, she pulled me down.
Leaves flew all around, and Elizabeth's musical laughter rang. I found myself laughing with her; it was impossible not to as she shook red and brown leaves from her hair.
She stood up, and reached for my hand, pulling me up. However, I knocked into her and made her stumble back into a tree. I grabbed her waist to steady her, and she grabbed my arms for support.
"Thanks," she said before quickly releasing my arms. I let go of her, and stepped away, noticing our proximity. I nodded.
We continued on our way, until we heard music emitting from an enormous house. We stopped at the edge of the trees. The building looked like a haunted mansion, the way it was decorated. People were spilling out of doors, dancing, drinking. It was a stereotypical rave.
"Huh. I don't know why, but I expected it to be different," Elizabeth said. "I like it though. It's lively and noisy."
"Do you really?" I asked. I watched as people ran around the front.
"I was never one to go to parties. It was never my scene, but I can appreciate the appeal now. The need to feel young and be a part of something with your friends, to waste all your energy in one night, and probably not remember anything the next morning. The thrill of the music in your veins. Of course, I can only guess. I wonder what I'm missing."
Elizabeth was staring off at the crowd. She had a small, sad smile on her face. She sighed, and I might have not heard it if it wasn't for my sensitive hearing and the fact I'd been focusing on her.
She didn't deserve this. She was supposed to have all these experiences, but she never got the chance.
That's another comparison, I noted. Bella hated going to parties as well, but she would have never regretted not experiencing events. She was so quick to want to end her life. Elizabeth, on the other hand, she truly missed her old life; it was really heartbreaking to see.
"Would you mind if we didn't go to this party?" I asked when I had an idea.
Elizabeth shook her head as if she was coming out of a reverie. "What? Oh, uh, no, I guess not."
We headed back, but I stopped Elizabeth some way down. I didn't need her ability to know she was confused.
"What's wrong? Didn't you want to go home?"
I shook my head. "I asked if you minded we left, not if we could go home." I smiled brightly at her as I took her hand. Music could still be heard emitting from the party a long way off. "Care to dance, Miss Hawking?"
Elizabeth threw her head back in a laugh. "Of course, Mr. Cullen."
I placed my free hand on her waist, and she put her hand on my arm. We swayed and danced to the music. I was extremely thankful I still retained some knowledge of dancing from my human years.
Elizabeth leaned into me as she laughed after I had twirled her around with one hand. Her sad smile from before was replaced with a huge grin.
We danced for hours, all through the night. I didn't know if I was doing everything right, like I said, I only remembered some things, but it was worth it to see Elizabeth happy. Eventually, the music stopped, the party presumably over. Elizabeth rested her head on my chest while putting her arms around my neck. We were just swaying in place by then.
I heard her sigh quietly. "Thank you."
"I didn't do anything."
Elizabeth lifted her head up so I could see her face. "Actually, it's the opposite. You might not be able to read my thoughts, but you understand me in more ways than you think. That's more than I could say for anyone I knew when I was alive. You're the kindest person I've ever met, and you don't even realize it."
"You're my best friend," I told her.
"And you're mine."
She laid her head back on my chest. "You know, I don't think I'm missing much."
Looking down at the top of her head, I smiled. I liked this, dancing. Elizabeth seemed to enjoy it as well. Bella always hated it; no matter how much I tried, I could never get her to do anything that wasn't vampire-related. But with Elizabeth, it was different. Everything was different. I felt different. I acted different. What all that meant exactly, I had no clue, but I knew it wasn't bad. The opposite, actually.
The sun peeked through the trees and shone on us, my skin glittering. Elizabeth looked at me with a smile.
"You really don't know you're magnificent," she said in awe.
I would've blushed, and I'm sure she knew that but chose not to say anything as she reached up a hand and lightly stroked my face, tracing the sparkling facets with her finger. I closed my eyes, enjoying the cool touch.
"Well, isn't this sweet."
I whipped around at the voice, pushing Elizabeth behind me and shielding her body with my own.
I've heard that voice before. I just thought I'd never hear it again. How did I not hear her coming?
I hissed at the female vampire who stood calmly in front of me, a smirk playing on her lips.
I heard Elizabeth gasp from behind me. "Victoria? How did you find me?"
What?