Romeo and... Cullen?

14. Training

The news was playing on the TV in the living room. Another missing person in Seattle.

        "It's getting worse, we need to do something," Carlisle said watching the news story.

        "It takes more than one of our kind to cause the damage they're reporting," Jasper said. "Quite a few more, they're undisciplined, conspicuous—"

        "Newborns," Edward finished for him.

        "Like new vampires?" Bella asked.

        "The first few months after the change. That's when we're at our most uncontrollable, vicious, insane with thirst."

        "No one's trained these newborns." Jasper observed the television closer. "But this isn't random, someone's creating an army."

        "An army?" Emmett asked intrigued.

        "Created to fight someone."

        "But we're the only clan even close to Seattle," Edward said.

        Carlisle started pacing. "Regardless, if we don't put a stop to this the Volturi will, I'm surprised they've let it go on this long."

        "Maybe, they're purposely ignoring it. I read Aro's mind, Carlisle, he wants Alice and I to join him and knows we never will with our family still alive."

        "An army would solve that for him."

        "We have to change me now then," Bella said.

        "No, Bella. You'd be a liability as a newborn, unable to control your instincts, an easy target," Jasper said.

        "We'll come up with something, Bells," Verne assured her friend. "But changing you right now isn't it. Think about Charlie and Renee. You can't just disappear on them."
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        Verne was confused when she walked into her house after shopping in Port Angeles to see her father bandaging Bella's hand.

        "Jake found out about me wanting to become a vampire."

        "And?"

        "And I punched him in the face."

        Verne just raised her eyebrows and sat down next to her friend.

        "It's just a sprain, should heal fairly quickly," Carlisle said.

        Emmett gave Bella's good hand a high-five. "Punching a werewolf? You're gonna be one tough little newborn."

        "Tough enough to take you on."

        Rosalie slammed down her newspaper and walked off angrily. Verne thought she wasn't that mad until they heard her room door slam. Eventually she'd get over it. Verne did when she realized Bella was adamant about her choice.

        Friday rolled around and Verne sat in the gym watching her siblings and practically all her friends graduate. Jess, Bella, and Angela piled into Verne's car after taking graduation pictures. They sped off to the Cullen house to beat the rush of everyone else getting there since Verne still had to help set up.

        "This is our best work yet," Alice said high-fiving Rosalie as they looked at Verne, Jessica, Bella, and Angela all dressed up.

        Jessica and Angela were excited at having been dressed by The Cullen Sisters but Verne and Bella just looked uncomfortable.

        "Why do I have to dress up? It's not my graduation."

        "You're a Cullen aren't you?" Rosalie asked. "We always show up and show out."