7. Home Is Door To The Soul

The rest of the day was as normal as normal gets in my life.

After I exchanged contacts with Edward and promised a visit to his home; Bella somehow got wind of the affair and hounded me to pass on the intel under "sisterly duties" before I snapped on her.

So now, she was giving me the cold shoulder even though the object of her ire, was seated next to her in biology, engaging in some pleasant conversation.

I shrugged—not my problem if she didn't like me right now. My overly curious mind was rather focused on the Cullen family.

Granted, I hadn't seen the parents yet, but I doubt the children were alone in their weirdness.

Now that I really think about it, the few times the siblings had touched me, their skin had felt cold as ice. At first, I chalked it up to biology because...why the hell not? But then came the eyes.

As far as physical appearance went, they were all gorgeous. Their skin did not seem to have a imperfection on it but who knows, I hadn't pulled my magnifying mirror out yet. Once again, them being gorgeous didn't ring any alarm bells. I've seen some pretty people in my life, not as pretty as them...but I've seen them. Forks was a small town so I didn't blame the other people on being blinded by the beauty but I wasn't.

The eyes were what caught my attention the most.

They all, and I mean all five of them, had these gorgeous topaz eyes. A golden hue that was frankly unnatural. Was it pretty? Yes. Would it stop me from getting answers? Please. I was a seventeen year old hormonal teenager with telekinetic powers and a temper. You could say I was too damn curious for my own good.

A low buzzing in my jacket shook me out of my thoughts and I realized the class was near its end. I took out my phone to see a message from Jasper—surprisingly the only one with more than an email for contact purposes.

Jasper: Are we still up for that project at our house? Our parents would be delighted to meet you.

A smirk curved on my lips—oh, we're still up. Me and your little secret.

***

"Ask them if I can come with." Bella's whiny voice grated on my nerves for the nth time since she'd discovered my impending visit to the Cullen's.

I loved my sister, I really did but sometimes—she made me want to commit fratricide.

"This is not a social call, Isabella." I emphasized her full name since I knew how she hated it. "Jasper, Rose and I have a project that is soon due."

"So?" Bella lifted a brow while I stuffed some books in my bag from my locker. "I can do some homework too."

Classes were already over and Rosalie was waiting for me as she would drive me to their house. Bella would drive our truck home.

"Yeah? Do it at home then." I closed my locker. "Don't be a pain in my ass, Bella. It's not my decision to invite you to their home so stop asking already!"

"But didn't you see? Edward talked to me today." She gushed... as if she wasn't cursing him less than 24 hours ago. "We're getting somewhere."

"Then that's between Edward and you." I walked towards the parking lot, Bella hot on my heels. "Did he invite you over?"

Bella narrowed her eyes at me. "...No."

"What do I always say about self-centered people, Bella?" I narrowed mine back at her.

"They're a brain cell short of Hitler." She mumbled, rolling her eyes.

My thinking was harsh but History had shown us what self-centered people with power could do but again they were just that—people. So while it was harmless in certain cases, it quickly made for some real assholes and I didn't want my sister to be that.

"Good girl." I patted her head in a patronizing way before she swatted my hand away, a small smile playing at her lips.

Seeing Rose near her red convertible, Emmett the only other Cullen near her, I waved as I continued to speak to my sister. "You don't have to jump all in with Edward, Bels."

"You would say that, you hussy." Bella snorted without bite to her tone.

I shrugged as I walked backwards, facing her. Since turning seventeen, I had not shied away from physical contact but I was no hussy. I just did not see the problem in feeling sexually confident.

"Lose your virginity but never your brain, sister." I winked at her, laughing at her strangled cough before I turned around and joined the Cullens.

"Is this your car?" I asked Rosalie, eyeing the red convertible with interest.

Emmett was silently laughing, though I didn't know why, when Rosalie nodded.

"A woman after my own heart." I mock sighed, a hand to my chest. "But most importantly, are we close enough that I'll get to drive it sometime soon?"

If my dad was here, he would shake his head, rolling his eyes and muttering about creating a daughter that was obsessed with her toys but eh, what other joy was there in life? Aside from food, of course.

Rose playfully narrowed her eyes. "Get your dirty paws off my baby."

I chuckled, getting in the back seat. "Ow, you're no fun."

Swiftly, Rose pulled out of the parking lot and sped towards their home.

"So, tell me about your parents." I asked a few minutes into the drive.

Emmett slightly turned his big body to face me. "Our dad, Carlisle is pretty much a saint." He chuckled, his voice a low boom. "He's a surgeon at the hospital so we're pretty well taken care of. He's also very patient, an ear to listen or a shoulder to cry on when we feel down."

I smiled, my heart warming a little at their family. "It's pretty fantastic that he adopted all of you."

Rosalie smiled from the driver's seat. "Yeah, he's great." She said. "Our mom, Esme is similar. She's a gentle soul and everything someone would want in a mother."

"She's an architect." Emmett continued with a big smile. "And she spoils us, really."

I smiled to myself—I couldn't wait to meet these sweet and generous parents. I mean, I, for one, didn't want kids. At some point, I might adopt, but I had no real desire for my own and Bella had always find that disturbing.

I didn't get it. It was a gift and in most cases, it was a choice. I respected the hell out of mothers but I would never be shamed or bullied into bearing children just because I was the proud owner of a vagina.

"We're here."

I was pulled out of my thoughts, lifted my head, only to see an impressive sight.