Bella MacLeod's Twilight Fanfiction

The Differences Between Us Make Us Special

By Midnight Dreamer

Chapter 25: Broken Ties?

Months had flown by and the stress of the upcoming summer was finally weighing on Isabella. She has been trying to plan the most lavish of all parties seeing as it was not only Edward’s 18^th birthday, but he and Vicky were also both graduating. Of course, that was not the only reason for Isabella’s discord – Edward was keeping something from her. She wasn’t sure how he was doing it, or why, but he was and this was upsetting her even more since they had never kept secrets from each other before. The weather outside also showed her increasing anxiety – a rapidly approaching thunderstorm made the clouds dark and threatening, and lightning was continuously flashing overhead.

Edward was unsure of what was going on; Isabella had been blocking him for a while now. He noticed she was becoming moody and irate, and she was often found pacing and pulling at her hair, mumbling under her breath about how nothing was going right, and that something was wrong.

Edward finally made the decision and approached his sister.

“Bella, what’s wrong? You have been blocking me from your thoughts and the weather outside looks ready to kill someone!”

“What’s a matter, Eddie? Afraid of a little rain?” She snarled at him, her back still facing him.

“Bella, I don’t know what’s gotten into you but you have never been like this! You always talk things out with me, but now you’re blocking your thoughts! What is going on?” He tried again.

“It’s none of your business, Eddie! And you’re one to talk! What have you been hiding?” she hissed, spinning on her heel to face him.

This was the first time he has gotten a real good look at her; the first time he noticed how scary she actually looked – exactly like the vampires that they were supposed to be. He took several steps back from her.

“Are you afraid, Eddie?”

“Right now, yes! I don’t know what has happened to make you pull away from me like this! And even though you’re my sister and I love you… Yes, right now, I’m afraid of you – and for you!”

Edward flinched and stepped back further as she took a step closer to him. Isabella looked into his eyes as saw that he was truly afraid of her. This hurt her, so she tried once more to step towards him, her hand stretched out – but once again, he stepped back.

“Stay away from me, Isabella.” Edward whispered, speaking her full name and no longer using their mind link to communicate with her.

Isabella immediately stopped, shock apparent on her face. Edward took this moment of distraction to retreat to his room and locked the door behind him. He wasn’t sure what made his sister act this way but there was no way he wanted to be anywhere near her when she was like that – that thing out there wasn’t his sister.

After a few moments, Isabella finally returned to herself and the realization of what just happen made her shake. Rushing to her own room, Isabella felt hurt – she never meant to scare Edward but she was upset that he was keeping things from her… What had she done?

(E&B)

Several more days had passed after their confrontation. Edward refused to go near Isabella; he was afraid of what was happening to her and now he was unable to hear her thoughts – but by the way she would stare at him, let him know that she couldn’t hear his either. This caused more questions than answers since they had always been able to hear each other… What could have caused this? Edward finally decided that he would call Carlisle and ask him if he had any idea. It had been a while since he had spoken to any of the Cullens but he knew that if anyone would know what was happening it would be Carlisle.

After dinner; Edward retreated to the office that he shared with Vicky and Isabella. They had decided that since the three of them were left everything, they would run things together. Taking a seat at his desk, he pulled his phone closer and dialed the number that he hoped would hold some answers to the questions swirling around his head.

The phone only rang twice before someone picked up:

“Hello Cullen residence, Carlisle speaking.”

“Oh, good! Carlisle, it’s Edward.”

Edward had a special hook up for his phone which connected to a computer screen so if Isabella was not with him, everything spoken into the phone would be typed out and allowed him to read the responses.

“Edward, my boy! It’s so good to hear from you – how is everyone?”

“Not so good. I’m worried about Isabella.”

“Oh, what is wrong?”

“She seems to be changing…”

“How so?”

“Well, she has become distant and angers easily.”

“Have you spoken to her?”

“Yes, I tried, but it only turned into a fight. Something in her has changed, Carlisle – I have never seen her like that!”

“I don’t know what to say… Are there any other details you could give me?”

“I can’t hear her anymore and, apparently, she can’t hear me either though I wouldn’t know for sure unless I talk to her… which isn’t easy since I haven’t been near her in a few days.”

“Because of the fight? What happened exactly?”

“She was angry and I confronted her about it. She had been hiding her thoughts from me, and I asked her why since normally we don’t keep secrets from one another. Then she turned on me and told me it was none of my business and asked what I was hiding. I admit, I am keeping something from her because I’m not really sure how she would take what I have to tell her and I was worried she would be upset with me.”

“I see. Have you thought perhaps that you keeping this from her is some of the reason she is angry and blocked her thoughts from you?”

“I didn’t even think that it would be part of it.”

“Is there anything else going on that might cause her to become angry with you? Or cause her unneeded stress?”

“Well, I know that she has been planning this massive party for me and Vicky. We are both graduating soon and my birthday… Oh, hell! That explains a lot.”

“What?”

“Isabella has been doing everything for me and Vicky lately. She’s been taking care of the kids more, filing paper work and she has even been overseeing the renovations of the orphanage – all while me and Vicky have been studying for finals and what not. On top of all that, she has been planning the party and knew I was keeping something from her. Then I confronted her about her keeping things from me… It’s no wonder she blew up at me!”

“Well, I could see how she could be upset but that is not the reason you called me.”

“No, it’s not completely the reason. When I confronted her, her features seemed distorted and became… evil, almost. I was actually afraid of my sister for the first time in my life! I don’t like it at all – I’m supposed to protect her and care for her, but right now I’m too afraid to even approach her. I can’t hear her thoughts and I haven’t been able to since I confronted her. And I don’t mean she is just blocking, I mean she is just blank to me – it’s almost like she isn’t there.”

“I’m sorry, Edward but I think what you confronted was Isabella’s vampire side. At that moment she probably could have killed you and not even realized it.”

“I don’t think so, Carlisle – she was angry but she knew who I was.”

“She did?”

“Yes, she kept calling me Eddie which is the nickname she has for me though we only use it when we talk to each other through our link.”

“Wow! Usually when our vampire sides take over we don’t recognize anyone; it’s like that when we hunt. But, then again, you two are very unique to begin with so I guess it shouldn’t really be a surprise. As for her not there… I have a feeling that your link was damaged. Your love and honesty with each other is what kept it strong but with you hiding things – and her then doing the same as a punishment for what she probably felt as a betrayal – has severed it.”

“What do I do now? Her moods keep messing with the weather also.”

“Well, that is to be expected but you could use that to your advantage as well.”

“How so?”

“Well, what is the weather like now?”

“Dreary and wet. There is a fog hovering over the city.”

“What was it when she was angry?”

“Stormy and murderous.”

“What does that tell you?”

“That she isn’t mad anymore, she is sad.”

“Perhaps you pulling away from her even more has broken the link. She knows she hurt you and that you’re afraid of her now so it won’t change until you do something.”

“But what can I do?”

“You’re her brother so you know her better than anyone else. Just do what you do best and be her brother.”

“Thank you, Carlisle. I’m sorry to call and burden you with all of this but I didn’t know who else to call.”

“Its fine, Edward. I know it’s hard but I know you will do the right thing and everything will be fine.”

“Thanks again. Tell everyone I said hello and that I will see them in a few weeks.”

“Will do. By the way, what is it that you are keeping from her?”

“I took an internship at the police station in La Push.”

“So you won’t be with her this summer?”

“No, I will be staying on the reservation.”

“Well, for your sake, I hope you work things out with her before you tell her or I will be expecting tornadoes in the Chicago area…” Carlisle said chuckling to himself.

“Yeah, thanks for the vote of confidence.”

“I’m proud of you, Edward – but that is not something you should have hid from her. She would have been even more pissed when she flew out here and you didn’t.”

“Actually, I’m leaving before her – right after my birthday. Finals are done this week and then our party so I’ll be leaving the day after.”

“I wish you all the best. Good luck with Isabella!”

(E&B)

Isabella had been worried since her fight with Edward. It hurt her to hurt him and she could almost feel his fear. And when she saw it in his eyes, it made her anger disappear. He hasn’t spoken or come near her since and she couldn’t hear him anymore either. This scared her – they always had that link, that connection that told them whether the other was hurt, scared, angry, or upset. Not having it made her feel empty. She cries every night before sleep takes her. She could never truly hurt or hate Edward. They were two of a kind, each one a half of a whole.

Knowing that Edward was avoiding her she kept her distance as well. Often watching him, trying to connect once again through their link, sending her thoughts to him but she never receives a reply.

Her mood grew more and more somber. She started to retreat earlier and earlier to her room before she finally stopped getting out of bed altogether. Vicky would bring her sandwiches and juice but the trays would sit untouched. Her stacks of letters piled up on the side of her bed. She didn’t feel like doing anything and she didn’t even know if Edward had noticed that she didn’t come out of her room anymore.

Days had passed and soon Isabella felt nothing – she was empty. She had lost weight, and her once electric blue eyes were a faded gray, now matching the skies outside her widow. A constant fog floated over the city.

Vicky started to worry about Isabella. She knew it wouldn’t be long before Isabella faded away from them completely. She knew it was the rift between the two siblings that was causing this to happen to Isabella, what she didn’t know was how to fix it. One night after dinner she watched as Edward retreated to their office. After the dining room was cleaned up, she headed toward the office and began listening in on the conversation through the door, though only catching bits and pieces:

“No, it’s not completely the reason. When I confronted her, her features seemed distorted and became… evil, almost. I was actually afraid of my sister for the first time in my life! I don’t like it at all – I’m supposed to protect her and care for her, but right now I’m too afraid to even approach her. I can’t hear her thoughts and I haven’t been able to since I confronted her. And I don’t mean she is just blocking, I mean she is just blank to me – it’s almost like she isn’t there.”

….

“Yes, she kept calling me Eddie which is the nickname she has for me, though we only use it when we talk to each other through our link.”

….

“I took an internship at the police station in La Push.”

….

“Actually, I’m leaving before her – right after my birthday. Finals are done this week and then our party so I’ll be leaving the day after.”

That was all Vicky heard before she walked away. She wasn’t sure if any of this was the reason for Isabella’s withdrawal or not. But if Isabella can’t hear his thoughts – and he can’t hear hers – then she wouldn’t know he was going for an internship and he was keeping secrets from her and then confronted her about her blocking her mind from him so it’s no wonder they fought. Vicky wasn’t sure how to fix this – all she knew was that if something wasn’t done soon, they were going to lose Isabella.