Bella MacLeod's Twilight Fanfiction

Growing Up

By BetterInTexas

Chapter 02:

BPOV

I woke up the next morning to the sound of birds chirping and what sounded like a motor boat off in the distance. Spring was in full swing. I had the strangest dream before waking. Not surprising considering what the past few days have been like.

Usually I dreamed of Edward. Not last night. Last night I dreamed of… I don’t know what it was. I was looking into a lake. I could see my reflection, the lake was so clear. I was nearly nude. My hair was very long. Dark. I was wearing leather band of some sort that tightly covered my breasts. I had what couldn’t even be called a skirt of leather. It was to the point that I didn’t even know why I bothered. It looked like I had a bow strung across my back and an arrow quiver.

The strangest thing about my reflection was my skin. It was covered in blue body paint of some sort. I had large streaks of it covering my front and face. Symbols on my arms. Looked Celtic? Then I turned, feeling a hand on my shoulder.

Peter.

He looked different but it was him. He had long red hair. He looked wild. A beard on his face.

He has blue paint on his body as well and was wearing a beige leather tunic fasted with a rope around his waist. He had two swords. Not pretty by any means. They were metal though. Heavy. He handed one to me and then a smaller blade. I took both without hesitation.

He spoke in a foreign tongue. But I understood.

“The Saxons are a mile away. We are outnumbered. The tribes wish to fight. What do you wish?” he said quietly.

“We fight with the tribes.” I answered in the same foreign tongue.

“You are what matters. We don’t have to do this. I can take you away.”

“We don’t run.” I told him, meeting his blue eyes.

He nodded. “You realize we are hopelessly outnumbered?”

“When aren’t we?” I smiled.

He grinned and kissed my forehead.

“We stay close to each other in battle. We fight together, we die together.”

“Of course, husband. We are bound. Not even death can tear us apart. But before we die we will kill as many Saxon scum as we are able.”

He didn’t say a word but he kissed me. We kissed deeply and then walked past the trees to see our kin. Our kin were not who I noticed though. I was staring at the ten thousand soldiers that could be seen from this distance. I smiled. I watched Peter running towards the army while a horn blared in the background. I ran beside him. I jumped at the first soldier I saw blade in hand screaming in anger and then I…

Woke up.

I suppose I should have been upset about the dream. But I wasn’t. It was as if I was thinking of a memory.

I threw on the jeans I had on the day before. Peter showed me to a very comfortable bed last night. He left me alone and I took off my jeans and fell asleep. Now, though, I was wide awake. I could take some time to assess where I was. I agreed with everything Peter said last night. It would be best if I stayed hidden. A part of me missed Edward. But not as large a part as I would imagine. I should be frightened of the possibility of staying with a human drinking vampire who seems to think we are mates, but I wasn’t. I felt comfortable around him.

That was probably not good.

He seemed kind of like an asshole.

I walked in the living area and saw a McDonald’s bag sitting on the table in the kitchen next to a drink. He was sitting in the living room reading a book.

“Breakfast is in the kitchen. Eat. Then we need to talk.”

The asshole bought me breakfast. Maybe he wasn’t so much of an asshole. I took a look out the back sliding glass doors that looked over the Lake. It was gorgeous. Wow. He has a hot tub.

I ate my sausage McMuffin in silence. He wasn’t speaking so I suppose I shouldn’t either. I finished and walked into the living room. He finally looked up at me.

“Sit.”

Okay then.

I had a seat on the very comfortable couch and nearly sank into it.

“Speak.”

“I’m not a damn dog. You can’t give me orders. Would it kill you to be polite?”

He finally grinned and looked at me.

“Wow. She curses. Not much but I suppose everyone has to start somewhere. Please speak. That make you feel warm and fuzzy inside?”

He was mocking me. Yep. He was an asshole.

“What would you like me to speak of, sir?”

“Sir? I like that. But you can call me Peter. I want you to tell me everything. I want to know how you got here. Don’t hold anything back. I will know.”

“How would you know?” I asked curious.

He shrugged his broad shoulders. “I don’t know. I just would. Now please talk. We have to buy you clothes, I have to get your new ID done, then we got to get to get groceries tonight. So start talkin.”

So I did. I told him everything. I didn’t hold anything back. I told him every detail from the time I left Phoenix to the ballet studio. I finally shut up and looked at him.

He nodded.

“Okay.” Peter stood up.

“Okay? I just told you about the past 7 months of my life and all you have to say is okay?”

“What do you want me to say? Congratulations on being a dumbass and not running when you figured out what pretty boy was. It’s so sweet that he watched you sleep at night after breaking into your house without permission? Way to almost kill yourself for your mother who would have probably been dead anyway even if she had been there?”

“I didn’t want anyone hurt! I didn’t want anyone to die for me!” Now he pissed me off.

“They shouldn’t have! They should have fought for you because you couldn’t! They ran like fucking cowards. And you. So ready to die for them? Why?”

“They would have been hurt.”

“They are fucking vampires! Even if they are the pussies you make them out to be, and I have no doubt they are from what I saw, the Cullens outnumbered them! You never should have gotten involved with them and you never should have snuck off to meet that vampire that you knew was going to kill you. It was fucking dumb! Now would you rather me go back to saying okay or would you like me to point out more errors in your thinking?”

I was speechless for a few seconds. Finally I worked up the nerve to tell him what I thought.

“I would prefer to go back to you just saying okay.” I whispered.

“Okay. Now let’s go.”

“No.”

“What? Kid we got a lot of shit to do. There ain’t nobody around here who needs someone to die for them. So if you ain’t got nothing better to do…”

“I want to know why you want to kill Jasper. Alice is my best friend. If you kill him it kills her. I want to know why.”

Oh damn. I probably shouldn’t have asked. He was mad. I couldn’t read his facial expressions very well because he always seemed to be mad but I have a feeling I just saw him very, very mad.

“I may tell you one day. But today ain’t that day. I’d say I’m sorry about your friend but I’m not. As far as Whitlock goes, all you need to know is he died the second he turned me into a vampire. He just didn’t know it yet.”

“Jasper turned you into a vampire?” I whispered.

“Now ain’t the time kid. Let’s go.”

“It’s bright outside.” I pointed out.

“I got trees leading to my truck. Light UV filters on my windows. The mall has an underground parking garage. We can get the groceries tonight. But thanks for reminding me how to take care of my business.”

He walked out. I took a deep breath and followed. What else was I going to do? May as well ride this out.

---

Kid talks a lot. Okay not so much. But she is nosy. That’s what got her and indirectly me into this mess. Still, there was something about her. Like I had met her before. I ain’t ever been the type of guy that thinks much about this soul mate crap or any other type of souls. But she got me thinkin. I didn’t like to think about things besides feeding and killing Jasper. She was a distraction. But this is what fate had in store for me I guess. She was my mate. She made me calmer just being around her.

So I guess I got to take care of her.

She was going to have to get this self-sacrificing crap out of her system though. She was a romantic. She needed to wake up to the real world.

High school might help. Maybe she would go to college. Not that it had anything to do with the real world. But still. Maybe with age she would get a little harder. A little tougher.

I admit though. It was relaxing havin her around. I may not be crazy about her but she felt comfortable. For the first time in a long time I didn’t feel consumed with anger. It was still there. But I had her to focus on now.

I gave her hell about trying to sacrifice herself for someone else but a part of me was slightly impressed. She wasn’t scared of dying but she wasn’t suicidal. Not a trait commonly found in teenagers. She seemed older in her years in a way. In another way she seemed like a 12 year old girl swooning over the pretty boy. The way she talked about this Edward guy. He couldn’t read her mind. He heard no noise around her. Her blood smelled intoxicating. Of course he wanted her.

We were nearly to the mall. May as well start breaking down some of her romantic notions.

“You know you snore?” I mentioned casually.

“I do?” she asked.

“Yep. You also drool. You did it on my truck window last night on the way here.”

“I do?” Yeah she was starting to look horrified now.

“You mumble incoherently when you aren’t snoring. You also fart.”

“I do not!”

“Yes. You do. Maybe it was that bite of Taquito you had last night but you farted so loud the neighbor’s dog down the road started howling.”

That shut her up.

“Just so you know while lover boy was being romantic and watching you sleep, you were snoring, mumbling, drooling and farting.”

Still nothing. She was blushing.

“That sound romantic to you? There is a reason lover’s sleep together. Cause if one had to watch the other sleep constantly, they wouldn’t be lovers for long.”

“He… it must have not bothered him.” Bella said, not believing it herself.

“He was watching you sleep, trying to resist drinking your blood. You know what else would have been a good idea? If he didn’t tempt himself in the first place. He risked your life to see if he could do it.”

Again nothing. She was looking out the passenger window watching the hill country roll by.

“You told me when he got close to you that you almost passed out a couple times. You know what that is? A trick when vampires want to entice their prey. You were prey to him. He couldn’t read your mind. Your blood called to him. Of course he wanted you close. I bet he is going crazy now that his toy is missing or dead.”

“Just shut up. Please.” She didn’t sound angry. Almost like she was sad.

“What do you think would have happened if you broke up with him?”

“Nothing. I wouldn’t have…”

“Really? Your first boyfriend? What happened if you found out he wasn’t so perfect and you wanted to move on? Let’s just say it happened. What do you think he would do?”

She seemed to look confused. Or in denial trying to think of an answer.

“I don’t know…”

“What was that? I couldn’t hear you.”

“You heard me just fine.” She grumbled.

“There is the mall.” I pointed out, deciding to cut short my examination of the shortcomings in her reasoning skills. “There is a cowboy hat behind you. Beat up straw thing. Throw it on. Trust me, no one will look at you twice.”

“I have to wear a cowboy hat?”

“Yeah. Right now you are probably all over the news listed as missing. Maybe not here but I don’t want to take a chance.”

“Afraid someone might find me?” She asked sarcastically.

“Yeah. Look you agree it would be best to hide with me. I told you that I ain’t babysitting you. Your ass can leave anytime and deal with stalking boyfriends and crazy red headed bitches and going crazy being away from your vampire mate. So if you don’t want to help keep yourself hidden and sane then walk around announcing your presence. If you don’t want that put on the fucking hat.”

BPOV

“Yes sir, asshole sir.” I gave him a salute. At least it got a grin out of him.

“Let’s go kid. You won’t have to wear it for long. There are some sunglasses in the glove compartment. Put them on. Put your hair in a ponytail.”

I did as I was told. He was right. I agreed to stay hidden with my mate. My mate. Ugghh.

He was right though. I didn’t like him much but I could feel it. The calmness I felt around him would go away if he was gone. His presence kept me calm.

I was irritated about what he said about Edward. The thing that irritated me the most was he was right.

Away from Edward things were clearer. Peter didn’t make me feel… not myself. I felt more myself when I was with him. I didn’t like him much but at least he seemed to have my best interest at heart. Why the hell didn’t the Cullens take out the nomads in the clearing?

I get that they were peaceful but Edward read his mind. He knew the second after they left that James was going to track me.

Did he want to get me to himself? I remember his words after he left. I will get you and we will go someplace alone and hide.

He was prepared to kill James afterward. They all were. But not then. Not when they had him in their sights.

Why did Peter want Jasper dead? I guess because he was turned. I can imagine not choosing something like this and having it forced on them could make someone angry. But to dream of revenge for all these years. What was he waiting for?

I knew though. I didn’t know why I knew but I knew. He was waiting for me.

“Why do you walk like that all the time?”

“Walk like what?” I asked, the asshole pulling me out of my musings as we walked in the parking garage.

“With your head down. I got you a hat and glasses so you could walk with your head up. But you never do.”

“I don’t know. I always walk like this.” I answered, shrugging my shoulders.

“Stop. You may be a scrawny kid but you are my Mate. Act like it. We don’t walk with our heads down.”

“You said to stay low.” I reminded him.

“Nobody should be that low.” He responded, not looking at me.

“I’m clumsy. I have to watch where I am stepping.” God he could make me irritated very quickly. Why am I always defending myself around him?

“Have you always been clumsy?” he asked grinning. I hated that grin. It meant he was about to say something sarcastic.

“Yeah, I have, okay?”

“Have you always walked with your head down?”

I shrugged my shoulders. “I don’t know. I guess.”

“Then apparently walking with your head down isn’t helping, is it?”

“You think maybe you could just not talk sometimes?” I begged.

“No problem kid.”

“Hey I am supposed to be your vampire Mate. You think you could lay off the kid stuff?” It was becoming old. Very old.

“Maybe. We will see. Here is the hair place.”

Hold up.

“I’m not going in there. There is a Supercuts right down there.” This was a salon. A very expensive salon.

“Bella, you need a makeover. You have to look completely different. The contacts will not even be a start. You need to get your hair some sort of style and very blonde. Deal with it. The plain jane look you had going is over. You want to hide, we start now. And Supercuts ain’t got no one that can do what needs to be done.”

“What do you want me to look like?” I liked who I was. He’s like a redneck Alice Cullen.

“Get about 6 inches of that thick mop you got out of the way. Get it layered or something. And go blonde. Very fucking blonde.” I wonder if he has a thing for blondes? Probably not. He just wants me to look different.

I walked in and saw a smiling stylist looking at me like a piece of meat.

“Hello. My name is Suzanne. What can we do with you today?”

Peter laid a gold credit card on the counter.

“She needs a different look. Something short and blonde. Very blonde. She is very tired of brown hair.”

The stylist looked at Peter, looked at the card on the table, then looked at me.

“Cynthia, get my appointments covered this afternoon.”

“Yes ma’am.” A girl at the register responded.

“Right this way dear. Uhm sir, if you would like to walk around or something, this could take a while.”

“I’ll be across the way at that book store.” He winked at me. That caused my heart to flutter a bit. Damn it.

“Peter, you think you could maybe get me a few books?”

“Sure.”

“I like…”

“I got an idea. I’ll get you set up. Relax and enjoy yourself.”

With that Peter was gone. I picked up his card from the counter. It read Peter Locke.

“So what would you like to look like dear?”

“I’m sorry?” Suzanne just brought me back to reality.

“Just look at these pictures.”

She handed me a book of models apparently.

“Uh, why don’t you just decide?”

Suzanne smiled.

“I was hoping you would say that honey. Sit back and relax. We will have a new you in no time.”

Six hours later I had been cut, washed, died. Washed again I think. I fell asleep once. At some point my feet were put in a wax substance. A lady was cutting my toenails. Another lady was doing my nails.

I was finally set free.

I looked in the mirror and didn’t recognize the girl looking back at me.

My hair was blonde. The only clue it may have not been blonde was my deep brown eyes. It was layered and wavy over my face. It barely reached my shoulders. It was much thinner. I…

I like it. I felt lighter too. My nails and toes were painted bright red.

“So what do you think?” Suzanne asked.

“I… I love it.”

“Good. Now if you ever let that brown mop grow out again I will positively hunt you down. I will have your friend set up bi weekly appointments. We can try different styles or you can keep this one until the style changes. I can keep your roots blonde as long as you keep your appointments.”

“Thank you.” I whispered. I handed her Peter’s card. He walked up and actually smiled.

“You look good. Not that you didn’t before but… the new look is good.”

“Thanks.” I whispered.

“You definitely look different.” Peter said quietly. He was looking at me strangely. Every time I met his eyes I felt a stirring. His eyes were brown. They matched his dark shaggy blonde hair. He really was… gorgeous wasn’t the right word. But hot was. I mean all vampires were but he looked so… rugged.

Peter set up the appointments I would need and then walked me to the food court.

“Thank God. I am starving.” I realized I hadn’t really eaten anything besides breakfast over the last couple of days.

“Eat then go to the bathroom and put these on.” He handed me a set of what looked like contacts.

“I’ve never worn these.”

“Pull your eyelid up with one hand. Place the lens gently on your fingertip. Place it on your eyeball. Look up and roll your eye. There you are. Ain’t rocket science.”

“Can I wait until we get home?” The bathroom in Mall didn’t seem like the best place to do this.

“No. We have to get your make up. They have to match it to your eyes.”

Uh…

“I don’t usually wear makeup.”

“You didn’t. Now you do. Your name is Isabella Locke now. You are my niece. That’s the name on your ID. You are no longer Isabella Swan. Isabella Swan is gone. Isabella Locke has blue eyes, blonde stylish hair and wears a shitload of classy makeup to fit in at the private school she will be attending her senior year. We understand each other?”

Damn. This hiding stuff was more complicated that I thought it would be. Private School?

“Are you rich?”

“Extremely.” He didn’t say it like he was bragging. Just stating a fact.

“How?”

“I knocked over a few banks in my younger years. They were insured. Don’t worry about it. Money ain’t an issue. Keeping you safe and us being together so we don’t lose our fucking minds is the issue. I’d rather not take you overseas until you finish high school. So go put the damn contact in so we can go get you war paint and then clothes. Not the blue jean crap you wear either. You are going to be a rich kid. It’s part of your new life. You have to dress the part. Then the grocery store if you hope to eat tonight.”

Clothes? Makeup? Rich? Overseas?

I took a deep breath and went to the bathroom. Twenty minutes later I had finally managed to get the damn things in my eyes. I looked in the mirror and… wow. I really liked blue eyes.

Judging by the look on Peter’s face when I walked out I guess I passed inspection.

“Let’s go.” He said in his usual eloquent soliloquy. I followed. In for a penny, in for a pound.

It was halfway to the make up shop that I realized I hadn’t really thought about Edward all day. I couldn’t remember the last time that happened.

We walked into a department store. I didn’t recognize the name. Peter marched right up to a makeup stand. He walked up to the clerk and whipped out his gold card.

Jerking his thumb at me without looking he told her “She needs the works. She has never worn makeup before. Then she needs clothes. Everything. Shoes, undergarments, swimwear, summer wear and clothes for school. She is going to Halbrook Academy next year. You are familiar with it?”

“Yes… yes sir.”

“This is my niece. Her parents died in a fire and she lost everything. Get after it and there will be a pretty big commission for you. Five figures at least will be involved.”

The clerk looked at me. Another human Alice Cullen.

“Sharice! Cancel my appointments. This could take a while.”