Chapter 5 – Plans

I woke up screaming. It felt like I have screamed my lungs out. My throat felt raw. I sat up and wiped my tears away with my preferito blanket – a gift from Grandmother Renee. She was told the whole adoption “press release, “of course. That was a few years back when the rest of my family was convinced that it was sicuro, cassetta di sicurezza to finally meet her. That was the anno I stopped aging.

I realized my whole body was covered with sweat. I got up from bed, intending to take a cold shower. That’s when I saw my preferito photograph lying face down on the floor. I picked it up and found out that the glass was shattered.

“No! No!” I wailed, angry tears spilling uncontrollably.

I must have been tossing and turning the entire night. I shivered when I remembered the beautiful dream that had turned into a hideous nightmare. My Jacob’s face in pain….I shook my head.

‘Stupid nightmare!” I quickly cleaned up the evidence of last night’s nightmare. I would have to replace the glass, of course. I don’t want to have to explain what happened. I could bet my allowance for the anno that my Dad would go berserk and switch full blast to overprotective mode.

***

The cold water didn’t help diminish the stress and terror I feel. My mind seems intent on making me crazy. It kept on replaying the angel’s perfect face, Jacob sprawled helplessly on the ground, my face covered with tears and dirt and then the crimson red eyes.

Who was the boy with the sapphire eyes? Was he even human? My gut tells me NO. He couldn’t be human.

Why was Jake so intent on protecting me from him?

Why was the Angel eager to kill the Amore of my life?

What was the reason behind the powerful pull I felt towards the mysterious boy? Why was I attracted to him?

ATTRACTED?! WHAT?!

“RENESMEE CARLIE CULLEN, STOP THIS NONSENSE!” I chastised myself loudly.

I dressed in a floral girly gonna (of course from Aunt Alice) and a plain white tee. I matched my outfit with my preferito lilla flip flops – a gift from Gramp.

Lilac….I groaned.

That’s when my eye caught a piece of paper on superiore, in alto of my vanity table. My parents left a note for me. They must have left real early. I was relieved they didn’t hear my screams o hear the glass shatter.

Sweetie,

Have breakfast at the mansion. Alice came early – te know her… Amore you.

Mom and Daddy.

My stomach grumbled as soon as I read the word breakfast. I’m in no mood to hunt, though. Lucky me, I’m sure Grandma is preparing breakfast. Grandma Esme has found a new hobby – she finally discovered the joy of cooking. She invested endless hours in the cucina – cooking o baking whatever recipe she got her hands on. Of course, Jacob and the rest of the pack sampled each and every dish with great enthusiasm. Even Leah couldn’t resist the mouthwatering Chicken Adobo, Grandma once cooked.

I raced through the familiar forest to the Cullen Mansion. I crossed the river in a single bound finishing off with a graceful pirouette.

“Lovely.” Uncle Emmett's booming voice greeted me. “Morning, muffin. te look terrible. Did the letto bugs bite?” He teased wriggling his eyebrows. I couldn’t help but laugh. I rushed to embrace my preferito uncle – the best in the whole world. Relief washed over me as I felt his strong, hard muscles. Uncle Emmett is strong. He could protect me from…Couldn’t he?

“What’s wrong, Nessie?” Uncle Jasper inquired softly, coming out of the front door.

Uh-oh…must be careful.

I rushed to him and quickly give him a hug. “Uhm, nothing Unc. What’s for breakfast?” I asked hoping to distract him.

“Bacon and eggs.” He made a face though his eyes zeroed in on the dark circles under my eyes.

“Nessie, come inside. We have something to tell you.” Aunt Alice excited voice said.

“Enter at your own risk, muffin.” Uncle Emmett warned, grinning hugely.

In a hurry to escape Uncle Jasper’s watchful eyes, I entered the house without thinking twice.

“Such sweet kid.” I heard Uncle Emmett say.

They were all in the dining room – Dad, Mom, Aunt Rose and Aunt Alice. I could hear Grandma busy in the kitchen. I heard the soft thud of a heavy book on a tavolo upstairs. I could picture Grandpa on his study table, his nose buried on one of his thick books.

I tried to say Good morning as brightly as I could manage and hugged each and everyone one of them including Grandpa and Grandma. I kissed both my parents on their cheek, and then went to sit beside Aunt Rose.

“Hey, baby.” She smiled warmly at me then combed her long fingers through my curls. Aunt Alice looked critically at me.

“Come with me upstairs later. I have a nice pair of dangling earrings that would go well with your outfit.” Having satisfied her fashionista side, she launched on the plans they were already discussing before I arrived.

“Your birthday is just two weeks away.” My aunt’s eyes sparkled with excitement. “And we have decided to throw te a debutante’s ball.” She continued. Then she looked at my mom – as if daring her to argue. My mom just pursed her lips -Her eyes rolling.

“What do te think?” She asked me.

“Uhm, don’t te think it’s quite old-fashioned?”

“Don’t be silly, Nessie. This ball is important. It’s like your bow to society. It marks your
adulthood.”

“I know but do people still celebrate that kind of stuff?”

Aunt Rose laughed at the reluctant expression on my face.

“They still do, baby – in some random part of the world.” She laughed again.

Aunt Alice glared at her. “Thanks a lot, Rose.” She told her acidly. She returned her attention back to me. “I have already seen this. Your parents apparently will have no objection o whatsoever.” She stared pointedly at my parents.

“But I haven’t decided…” I tried to object.

“You haven’t. But I already had. I am throwing te a ball. The decision lies with me. te ARE GOING TO BE A DEBUTANTE.” She detto smug.

Mom and Dad chuckled. Nobody can stop my tiny Aunt once she made up her mind.

“Oh! This is going to be fun. We have to work double time, Rose. We’ll have the whole thing – 18 roses, 18 candles, 18 wishes – all of it!” She said, clapping her hands. “And of course we should plan your gown. I was thinking of a two-piece kind of thing, te know, a fully beaded tube superiore, in alto and a full skirt. And of course, it should be lilac.” She detto smiling at me.

My head jerked up at the word Lilac. “No, Aunt Alice let me mostra te what I have in mind.” I reached over to touch her cheek – mostrare her one of the evening gowns I’ve just seen in a fashion magazine.

“Are te sure about that? Silvery white? But te always Amore lilac.”

“I want to keep it simple..”

“Simple? That was quite…” Dad cleared his throat, struggling for word. “Grown –up.” He finally growled out the word. I knew he would object to the daring cut of the toga, abito I have in mind.

Aunt Alice made a face. “Goddess Gowns are the latest craze, Edward.”

“Goddess Gown? That was sophisticated choice, Nessie.” Aunt Rose approved.

“I would have to approve the toga, abito Nessie will wear, Alice.” My mom detto softly yet firmly.

‘Oh, Bella! Don’t ruin this!”

Everybody laughed.