Through the Mirror

Twilight - Fifteen

Brushing through my hair in front of the vanity my eyesight falls out of focus. In the mirror is a different girl. I drop my brush and rub at my eyes blinking before looking back into the mirror. If there was anything there it was gone now. For now at least. 

Edward pulls up to the Cullen house and I had to take a moment to just stare. "I thought I was ready to see it but all I can say is wow." A chuckle ripples through my throat.

"What were you expecting to see?"

"I knew it was beautiful but..." I trail off and think about what to compare the house to that could come anywhere close to this feeling. "Just a bit overwhelmed that this is all really happening. I am here. You are here. Inside your family is waiting." We walk into the house and music is playing lightly and the whole experience is unexplainable. "The house is so open. The light just flows through." 

"Thanks to tinted windows... It's the one place we never have to hide." I likely could have led myself around the house and found my way to the rest of Edward's family just from the loud noises from the kitchen. Edward has the most adorable embarrassed face as we walk toward the noise. "Don't worry I didn't protest too much. I just tried to talk them into not overdoing a whole meal."

Inside the kitchen I see Carlisle, Emmett, Rosalie, and Esme. Esme stops as we enter. "Bella. We're making Italiano for you." 

"I'm sure you could already tell, this is Esme. My mother for all intents and purposes."

"Piacere di conoscerti." (Pleased to meet you)

"Lieto di incontrare anche voi!" (Glad to meet you too)

"You've given us an excuse to use the kitchen for the first time."

"I hope you're hungry."

"That sounds and smells-"

"She already ate."

I slap at his arm lightly and turn back to Esme. "Excuse me. No, I did not. I can't wait to eat it. Smells amazing, Mrs. Cullen."

Though Rosalie didn't break the salad bowl she scoffs loudly to gather everyone's attention. "Perfect." She rolls her eyes in exaggeration. "Yes, let's keep pretending this isn't dangerous for all of us."

"I think you are forgetting none of us have control over what is happening." 

Carlisle attempts to placate the two of us. "She knows that."

Emmett brings in his comments. "The problem is, you two have gone public now, so..."

"Emmett." Esme's stern motherly tone makes me want to fist pump and childishly stick my tongue at Emmett. 

"No, she should know. The entire family will be implicated if this ends badly."

"I'm sorry." My tone about as sarcastic as I can bring with this being the first time I've been in a room alone with these many vampires. "Did you not understand what Edward told you about my past. Or are you just ignorant to the fact that I essentially know everything that happens during the next few years." Rosalie and I have a short staring contest of sorts and suddenly Alice appears along with Jasper.

"Hi, Bella!" She embraces me suddenly and takes a quick inhale. "I'm Alice. You do smell good." So much energy. I lean back a bit wanting space.

"Alice."

"It's alright, Bella and I are going to be great friends."

I wave toward Jasper. "Nice to see you Jasper."

"Pleasure to meet you."

He seems to shrink in on himself still. Alice comforts him softly. "You won't hurt her, Jasper."

Edward takes my hand and starts to lead me away. "I'll give you a tour of the house."

Alice is last to speak. "I'll see you soon."

"Ah, the graduation caps."

"Yes, our private joke. We matriculate a lot."

"I can't imagine. This is only the second time I've had to endure high school and it is a nightmare."

"True, but the younger we start out in a new place, the longer we can stay there." I make a disgruntled noise. "Here's my room." Running my hand lightly over the music lining the walls I observe the obvious stand out. 

"Nice collection. And of course no bed."

"No sleep."

"You must miss it."

"There are aspects to miss but no nightmares are a positive. Or the drool and snoring." Edward asks my opinion as I linger over CDs. "Any favorites?"  

"Not really. But I know one of yours." I smirk over at him. "Debussy." Edward is quick to slip in the disk and it plays Clair De Lune. Moving swiftly across the room and bringing my close to start dancing. Backing away from Edward I shake my head. "No dancing."

"Ever."

"You have seen me walk right? No need to add the complications involved with dancing."

"I can always make you." 

"As if." I try to keep a smile off my own face at the sight of his mischievous attitude.

"You really shouldn't have said that." Near the open window I laugh the sounds he makes.

"Don't-" We are suddenly in the tree and after I look up we both start laughing.

"Trust me?"

"Always." Edward gets a hold on me and jumps between the trees. I could hardly believe my eyes when we stop. I doubt the shock will ever fully pass when I'm with Edward.