Old Soul

Chapter Twenty-One: Slumber Party

That weekend, I wake up to voices in my kitchen, interspersed with my parents' laughter. Groggily making my way down the stairs, I stumble into the room to find Rosalie in all of her supermodel-esque glory. Her legs stretched out under the table, chin resting in her hands, and a cup of coffee she'll never drink steaming in front of her, she doesn't fit in with the quaint atmosphere of my house. She turns to look at me, executing a hair product commercial-worthy hair flip, her golden locks shining even in the bland kitchen lights.

"Hey, sleepyhead. Did you forget about our plans?" She asks, an uncharacteristically warm smile lighting up her features.

"Plans?" I repeat, dumbfounded.

"Our sleepover? You, me, Alice, Bella? The boys and my father are all going hiking, so Esme said we could make a girls' night out of it." I know I'd remember if we'd made plans, let alone if Rosalie was the one to seek me out about it. I get the feeling that this was spontaneous, and that I should play along for my own sake.

"Oh, yeah, you know me. Completely out of it early in the morning. Let me get my stuff and I'll be right down. It's okay if I spend the night over there, right?" I ask my parents.

"None of your brothers will be there?" My dad asks. I roll my eyes where he can't see.

"Nope. Please, Mr. Lewis? It would mean the world to Esme. And I'm sure Chief Swan would also be pleased to know Raquel's there, as well." My dad has no chance against Rosalie's charm, supernatural or not.

"Alright." My dad reluctantly agrees after a moment of consideration. I quickly pack an old duffel bag with the basic necessities and meet Rosalie downstairs, followed by Will.

"How come I can't come hang out with you?" He whines. Rosalie bends over so they're at eye level.

"Do you really want to be a part of girl time?" She asks, one of her brows perfectly arched.

"Yes." Will replies, but there's a hesitancy to his voice, almost like fear.

"Really?" Rosalie asks, standing up. "You want to talk about boys, have makeovers, and paint each other's nails?"

"You know what? I think I'm good here. See you tomorrow or whenever, Quel." Will sulks off to his room. Rosalie and I make our way out to her cherry red convertible with the top down.

"So?" I prompt once I've clambered in and strapped my seatbelt across my lap.

"So, what?" She asks, her overly friendly attitude dropped the second my parents can't see us anymore.

"I know you aren't my biggest fan, Rosalie. I doubt this is a bonding activity."

"The boys really did go hiking. Hunting, actually. I'm going to tell you this because he won't, at least, not until we have it under control. There's something not right in Seattle."

"Yeah, the prison break." I supply.

"No. Well, yes, but beyond that. There are... certain indications that our kind have cropped up in an area—especially newborns. Over the decades we've learned to identify them, after all, it impacts us if suspicions of... supernatural occurrences become salient. My family isn't exactly inconspicuous, Raquel."

"So, you think there's a vampire in Seattle?"

"It goes beyond that. Sure, there could be several in Seattle for all we know, but for the most part, we're good at covering our tracks. We meaning all vampires, not just those that are vegetarian. The problem is there seems to be at least one vampire running loose in Seattle. Edward doesn't want to risk Bella's safety," Rosalie rolls her eyes. "So, Alice's brilliant idea was a sleepover. And I prefer your company to most other humans."