Vanity and Patience: A Rosalie Hale & Emmett Cullen Story

Chapter 7: Sunlight

"I don't get why I can't go hunting with Emmett," I muttered, crossing my arms at my chest. "I mean, if you or Carlisle are with us it would be fine." I couldn't help but complain as Edward and I drove home one day from school in his Volvo. I knew I was whining but at the same time I needed to speak up for myself. He had been back for almost a week, feeding two or three times each day and I still wasn't allowed to come along.

"Rosalie, need I remind you he almost decapitated you the last time we all went hunting together."

"Yes and he broke your leg too, but you come back fine the last few times you've hunted with him."

"That's because I'm not trying to prance around and act like I'm accidently brushing my body against him every chance I get—like some people." He shifted his head to point his eyes in my direction.

"What? Don't be silly. I would never," I scoffed. I shook my head and rearranged the locks that framed my face as I examined myself in the side view mirror.

"Come on, Rose. You know you're incapable of being around him without wanting to physically get closer to him. You're completely into to him and drawn to him even though you know the dangers associated with being in close proximity of the guy. You're feelings get in the way of your logic and it'll probably get you hurt again. We can't take that risk. Not right now. You know that. Why can't you just be patient about it?"

I exhaled loudly in obvious frustration. Carlisle and Edward switched off hunting with Emmett, giving him proper guidance and ensuring he kept to our diet. Emmett still found it difficult to strictly hunt animals. Esme and I were not allowed to hunt with him unsupervised out of precaution. They were protective of us females, and it irritated me. However, I had to be accepting of Carlisle's wishes, no matter how much I disagreed with them.

It was only the other day that things had changed between us.

My mind recollected the small moment perfectly.

****

We'd just come home from school. Edward parked the car in front of the house, deciding to give Esme a helping hand with her garden.

I ascended the foyer steps with my school bag, pulling open the front door as I caught the scent of cedar and cinnamon. I straightened up my posture as I slowed my pace. Anticipation grew inside my gut at the chance to see him again.

I passed Emmett in the living room and gave him a small, nonchalant grin. I wasn't really expecting him to respond. He'd avoided me since his apology the evening he got back. It hurt my feelings, though most of the time I knew it was just his distrustful, erratic newborn nature.

"Miss Rosalie," he greeted me, tipping his driver's cap with his hand. His crimson eyes flashed to me and then to the floor as he bent his head down in his gesture.

I froze.

He'd never said my name before this moment, and hearing it roll off his tongue, in that deep, heavy tone was like music to my ears. Even the other night when he'd apologized, he'd never once uttered my name. My knees weakened at the sound.

Yet something about it wasn't right. Something about it was off, and an unexplainable frustration stirred in a small part of my mind.

I cleared my throat. "E-Emmett," I managed to whisper in response, nodding fractionally in his direction. I hated that I stuttered.

Another part of my mind told my body to straighten and keep walking, desperate to hold my collected façade. I continued up the staircase to my room in a composed manner before I absolutely melted behind my bedroom door, pulling it shut.