Title: to the monster who didn't succeed

Summary: Accidentally stumbling upon the conclusion that the Cullen's were vampires was in all honesty, way too easy. Even if Lisette wasn't actually serious when she accused them of being vampires. Now the werewolves...

Rating: T

Disclaimer: Disclaimed.

Notes: I am tired of the first movie so let's speedrun through plot..

07.

to the monster who didn't succeed

The One Where Liz Sees Things From A Minor Character's POV

…

"Bells, do you know — stop screaming, it's me — do you know where my petticoat is? The yellow one with the rose embroidered on it? It isn't in my wardrobe."

"Let go of the curtain! Did you check the laundry basket?!"

"I have, it isn't there,"

"Then look through my room," Bella hissed, desiring death. The embarrassment, while understandable, didn't have much of a leg to stand on. In her opinion, there was nothing her twin sister possessed that Lisette didn't see every time she showered. "Or would you consider that an invasion of privacy?"

"Cute," she simpered, rolling her eyes. "You need to shave, by the way. Looking kind of untidy. Don't think Edward likes… you know..."

Bella's face flushed something terrible, and she started fumbling for something solid to throw; Lisette took this as her sign to scurry out of the room. "GET OUT!" A half-empty bottle of shampoo smacked the back of her head. It did nothing to stop her giggles. "I'M TELLING CHARLIE!"

Please! As if she would stick around long enough to get in trouble.

"Good luck with that! And have fun with the Cullens today!" She shouted, already digging through Bella's clothes in search of her… aha, perfect! Her rat of a sister had been stealing her clothes again, but that was fair, 'cause half of the clothes in Lisette's drawers were Bella's crappy jeans.

"Are you sure you don't wanna come? Edward doesn't mind."

"Nope, going to the movies!"

The petticoat paired nicely with the dress and tights she was wearing. The young lady couldn't resist a few twirls in front of the mirror. Sweet-but-cozy was the concept. She was kind of pulling it off, although it was weird to not be wearing a heavy scarf.

"Resist the temptation," Lisette whispered, eyeing her favourite woollen heap of fabric, draped over the headboard of her bed. It looked so warm. "It'll ruin the outfit. And it's maroon. Angela would hate it."

That's right. Angela was an artistic person. If Lisette showed up wearing a maroon scarf, the girl would hate her on sight. Any partner of Angela's had to know the basics of color theory, it was the standard.

Resolve strengthened, Lisette slipped on her shoes, slapped a sticky note on the fridge for her father, and began her walk to the movie theatre. Thankfully, Charlie didn't live too far from the town centre.

Good ol' Sheriff. Close to the action as possible. Though she had a feeling it was really because Charlie just wanted to be closer to the diner that made his favorite steak.

The sky darkened with storm clouds when Lisette was halfway to her destination, and it was thundering when she arrived, her iPod blasting music in her ears. Angela, Jessica, and Eric were waiting outside: the latter saw her first, and waved excitedly. "Lisette! You made it!"

"Yo, you guys been waiting long?"

"Jess and I just got here. I don't know about Angie."

"Ten minutes or so," She said, bashfully tucking hair behind her ear. She was wearing Lisette's favorite emerald studs, the ones that brought out her eyes. "All that's left in Mike. You look, uh, good. Lisette."

Lisette grinned. "Yeah?"

"Uh, the coat, it looks nice with the, with your — a-are you wearing makeup?"

"A little, why?"

"I didn't realize —"

"You do look super cute," Jessica butted in, eyeing Lisette critically. She was begrudgingly not disgusted by what she saw. "Why don't you dress like this at school? It's looks hot!"

"It's just school," She replied, and pinched at the tights. "Plus, I don't have many of these in my closet, and it's too cold in this town to go without."

"So you show up in sweatpants," Jessica said, dry. She shook her head. "I still can't believe you did that. I was so embarrassed."

Eric threw his arm around her shoulder. "Don't be such a snob, Jess," He winked at Lisette, who pressed her hands to her chest and swooned. "The sweatpants were a smart move. Not against dress code, either! Wonder if I can get away with it too? You think I could?"

"Absolutely not," Jessica gasped, but Angela and Lisette were nodding. "Girls, no! Don't enable this behavior!"

"I'm a trendsetter," Lisette said in approval. "Please wear your pajamas to school on Monday. It would make my week. Not because it's funny or anything, I just wanna see Jessica's face when you show up to pre-calc wearing a full Pikachu ensemble."

"It's a Squirtle set, actually," corrected Eric. "I have matching slippers."

Jessica paled. "I'm going to be sick."

Angela rubbed her back. "It's not that bad. I think he'll look cute in them," The boy waggled his eyebrows, causing Angela to turn a deep red color. "N-Not that you're cute — well, you are — but I, I didn't mean it like… oh, sheesh…"

"Squirtle ensemble it is," Eric said grandly, with a funny smile on his face. It was not Lisette's favorite smile to see on him. Mostly because she recognized the look as something she often wore; she had a feeling the cause was the same, too.

(… Competition, huh?)

"Thanks, Angela."

"No, uh, no problem."

Before Lisette could get it into her head to step in, Mike finally arrived as if he was sent from the Gods of Cockblocking, dressed in his stupid jock jacket and some washed out jeans. "Hey guys! You ready to go in?"

'If there's one benefit to Mike,' thought Lisette, watching carefully as Eric and Angela stopped romantically staring into each other's eyes, 'it's that he has spectacular timing.'

Eric cupped his hands around his mouth, "Just waiting on you, bro!"

"I'm not late, am I?"

"No," Jessica said sweetly, tossing her hair out of her face when Mike finally came to a stop before them. He hunched over to catch his breath, and Jessica leapt at the chance to rub his back. "You're right on time. Do you need a drink? I have a bottle in my bag…"

"I'm fine," He shrugged off her hand, eyes going straight to Lisette. He almost looked confused. "Lisette? Why do you look cute?"

"It's my powerful lesbian energy," Lisette replied. "What kind of quarterback is out of breath because of a little jog? You should be ashamed of yourself, dude."

"Ha-ha. Where's Bella?" He peeked over her shoulder, ignorant to the sudden flattening of Jessica's pleasant features. Boys.

"I'm not hiding her if that's what you're asking,"

"She didn't come?" Mike sighed. She might as well have kicked his puppy. "I guess she's still dating that mystery guy. Is she with him?"

Lisette went to tell him how it was none of his business when Jessica cleared her throat. "If she isn't here, then she isn't here. Bella's too good for us, anyway, don't you remember? Forget about her. Let's get inside and escape this chilly weather. I'm freezing!"

"Should have worn a coat," said Lisette, eyebrow arched, very aware of the game Jessica was playing, and none too impressed that it involved throwing her sister under the bus. "You didn't check to see if it would be cold tonight?"

"Of course I did, but I didn't think it'd be this bad!"

"Drat. Can't have that. Eric, would you mind giving Jess here your coat?"

"Oh, he doesn't have to," Jessica spluttered, sending subtle glances to Mike, who was ignoring the commotion to read the movie listings on the board. "He'll be cold,"

"No, no, it's not an issue. Here," Eric muttered, relocating his valuables to his pants before shrugging off his canvas jacket. Jessica watched him do it like her world was ending. She accepted the article of clothing sullenly, putting it on like it was a bomb. "Warm?"

"... Toasty," Jessica mumbled.

Lisette couldn't help feeling a bit smug over it. 'Bella's too good for us,' her ass. Sure, it was true — Bella was the best — but that didn't mean Jessica needed to sound so snide about it. Especially if she was doing it to hook up with a meat-head like Mike. Come on. Have some standards.

Pleased, Lisette snuck a glance at Angela — only to find, rather electrifyingly, that the girl was already looking at her, looking far too amused. Lisette gave her cheekiest, most shit-eating smile, allowing the triumph thrumming through her veins to shine through. Angela shook her head, turning away in exasperation; but she was chuckling. That was approval.

Lisette followed the group into the cinema, but couldn't shake the fuzzy restlessness from her bones. Didn't really want to.

Heh. Take that, Eric.

...

Lisette arrived home just before it turned dark. Charlie was sitting on the couch with the television playing reruns of last Sunday's game, but he was actually doing paperwork on the coffee table. He didn't look up when Lisette closed the door behind her.

"Hey, papa bear. Bell still out?"

"Yeah, if you can believe it," Charlie murmured. "Didn't realize she liked baseball this much."

At that, they shared a laugh. As if. Bella hated baseball; she adored Edward, and that alone would keep her participating in athletics till sundown. She was adorable. "Classic," Lisette wheezed.

"How was the movie?"

"Good."

"Good good or just good?"

"I wasn't paying much attention," Lisette admitted. There wasn't enough action to keep her mind anchored. She ended up composing a mental essay debating communism versus capitalism. In the end, socialism won.

Charlie didn't seem surprised. "Could you check the oven? I put on pork roast a few hours ago, should be just about done."

Lisette checked the oven. The pork roast was just about done. "Half an hour longer," she estimated with no idea of what she was saying. Bella and Charlie cooked; she praised their efforts and texted her mom about how much she missed her casserole. It was a system.

Lisette's phone pinged excitedly. "Your girlfriend?" Charlie asked immediately, and Lisette shushed him good-naturedly. It was Bella. Whoops, it said.

Lisette barely finished her '?' when Bella messaged again: Pissed off a vampire. Need to get out of town. I need to make you and Charlie seem less tasty so PLEASE don't hate me!

dude are you fucking kidding me and also what the FUCK do you mean u pissed off a vampire? rose?

I don't have time to explain. I will be home soon and Edward says we are definitely being followed.

uhhh u have time to text u have time to explain. who is this vamp.

James. He wants to eat me? And he will go through you guys to do it. I'm leaving tonight to go to Seattle while the Cullens deal with it.

Lisette wasn't sure what to… do. She stared blankly at her flip phone and mustered up some panic. More confusion, though. Jesus Christ she didn't get what was happening and Bella was not explaining.

Charlie called out to her. "You alright?"

"Uhhh," Lisette hummed. "Something happened with Bells?"

Charlie was up in an instant. Great guy. Appropriate response. "What? Was it that boy? Did he hurt her?"

Doesn't know about vampires, Lisette reminded herself fiercely. She would be eaten if she told the truth. She couldn't tell the truth-not that she even knew what that constituted. bella?

Vampires behind the recent murders and want to murder me IS THAT ENOUGH!

how in the hell is that supposed to be enough

Look just play along

bella im honestly going to kick your ass if you ddont explain

The truck skidded into the driveway with a screech of wheels. Charlie went from staring pleadingly at Lisette to guarding the door, Dad beard scowling and Dad arms crossed intimidatingly. Bella stomped up the porch, her yelling heard through the door:

"No, Edward! Stay away from me!"

Then, Edward's mellow voice, "Bella, please, you aren't think-"

"I said NO! Go away, Edward!"

"Bella-"

She threw the door open, narrowly missing Charlie. "What's wrong?" He asked, noting Bella's deathly pale complexion and the intermittent tremors going through her body. She was afraid, but to him it looked like barely restrained rage. "Bells, what-did he hurt you?"

"No," said Bella, aghast. "No! We just-we broke up."

"I thought you liked him?"

"Well, I don't anymore. I have to… I have to get away." Bella tromped upstairs, Charlie hot on her heels. "I need to-I can't be here anymore, Dad, I'm going home."

"You are home."

"To Phoenix, Dad!"

"You can't-Bella, you can't drive to Arizona in… sleep on it, okay, if you still want to go in the morning I can call your mother-"

"I need to drive. I need to-to have the time to think about it-"

"Bella!"

Doors slammed. Lisette stood frozen in the kitchen as her sister and father continued yelling at each other, hand clenched around her new phone. A vampire followed Bella home, one interested in treating her like lobster pizza and other fancy cuisine. He's listening, Lisette realized, too afraid to look out any windows in case she saw him… this 'James'.

Bella was trying to, what, revoke their Bait status? By storming in and confusing him and-she was echoing what Renee said when they divorced-Jesus Christ she was breaking his heart. Bella had a packed bag and furiously red cheeks.

"Bella, I… come on, I-I just got you back."

Bella looked at her feet. Not at dad. Not at dad who was holding back tears. "Yeah. And, you know, if I don't leave now… I'll just be stuck here like mom."

Her words struck Charlie like a blow; he staggered, and Bella didn't waste time regretting her words, throwing open the door and running to the truck. Charlie stood stunned as they listened to the truck start and pull onto the road. He seemed as unsure of what to do as Lisette was.

Her phone pinged. I'm so sorry I didn't mean it

Lisette forced her numb fingers to type back, Just get safe. because everything else was too emotional for the situation (whatever it was). The Cullens would keep Bella safe: right now her dad needed her.

Quickly, she messaged her mother to let her know that Bella had disappeared and shuffled over to Charlie. She rested her hand on his shoulder. He was frowning at the door, mouth quivering.

"Dad?"

Charlie said, "Is she going to be safe?"

Lisette wasn't sure. "Dad, sit down."

He let himself be lead to the couch. He sat heavily, and didn't respond to anything else she said. He fiddled with his phone every now and then, but no talking. He was wracked with guilt and self-hatred.

Lisette had never been so furious in her life. Bella would make up for this, she swore.

The pork roast burned that night. Obviously.

...

"Mom-"

"How could you let her disappear on you, Charlie! You were supposed to keep her safe. I wasn't asking for much-"

"Mom."

"You didn't listen to her, Renee, she didn't give me a choice!"

"A choice? You're her father! You shouldn't have let her leave! You could have stopped her!"

"Mom…"

"She said she wasn't happy here!"

"So you let her run away? God, Charlie. You didn't even follow her? Do you know where my daughter is?"

"There's an APB on her truck-"

"Oh my god, dad."

"Jesus."

"-I am doing what I can, Renee!"

"We-no. No! Listen to me Charles Swan: as soon as we find her, Bella is coming home. Do you hear me? She is coming to live with me and Phil in Jacksonville. You are not doing this to her again, Charlie. God. You lost her."

"Yeah, well, she doesn't wanna be here anyway... I don't think you'll run into much argument."

"Good."

Charlie hung up. Lisette attempted her best smile. "Great communication, there."

He wasn't amused. He rubbed his forehead to soothe his headache. "Do you want to move back to Jacksonville with your sister?" He asked severely. "I know you don't like Forks either and I'd prefer…"

I don't leave like Bella did?

"When we find her," Lisette said. "Ask me when we find her. Moving is the last thing on my mind at the moment."

Charlie nodded, eyes clenched shut. "I… I'll call the deputy, see if she's heard anything… You should-you should go to bed, kid. School tomorrow."

"Okay, dad," Lisette said gently. She patted his back. "You too, alright? I promise you Bella is just fine."

He shrugged her off and picked up the phone again, dialing the number for the station. Once he started talking to Deputy Jones, Lisette made her way to her bedroom.

And pulled out her phone.

"Lizzy!"

Thank god.

"Alice, where-" Lisette stopped. The background noise was like she was standing next to a bonfire. It didn't stop her for long. "Where is my sister?"

"She's-um-"

"Alice, who is it?"

"It's Lizzy, she wants to know where Bella is."

Lisette ground her teeth harder. "Why isn't Bella telling me? Alice, where is she? Is she okay?"

"I-yes. She is. She's alive, Lizzy, I promise she's alive. I admit it was a close call but Edward saved her, he and Carlisle are taking her to the hospital now."

Lisette nearly screamed, "The what?!"

"Seattle Memorial, if you start to make your way over-"

"Why is she in the hospital!"

"I'll explain why when you make it here!"

"Alice-"

"Lizzy, I have to go. Just focus on getting here. She is fine, I promise, but she'll want to see you when she wakes up. I need to run. I'll see you soon!"

"Alice!" She shouted, but Alice hung up on her. The yell alerted her father to her room, though, and he banged his way inside. She didn't lock her door. "Jesus Christ I hate them. Dad, Bella's in the hospital. In Seattle. I don't know why but that was just Alice, she said Carlisle was taking her there now."

"The hospital?" Charlie gawked. "Why is she there? How did… I thought… why are the Cullens with her?"

"I dunno! Let's drive over and figure it out!"

Razzled, Charlie fetched his jacket and keys. "You can call your mother this time," He ordered her, and Lisette didn't even mind it.

The drive from Forks to Seattle was three hours and forty minutes. It was going to be a long trip.