Chapter 18

Song of choice-

Time is a Runaway- The Alternate Routes

I opened the packet and pulled out a stack of papers. Forms I should say.

Date of birth. Sex. Eye color. Hair color. Precious blood type. Present blood type. Physical changes? Any previous diseases?

The list went on forever and I only knew half the answers. By the time I answered all I could; Danni was out on her date with Cody.

I lay against my head board and closed my eyes to be attacked with sounds and smells.

Different scents were stroking my nose and I could feel myself wanting to find them and take them. I started locking in onto the best thing I'd ever felt in my life.

I inhaled deeply and it felt like a fire on a cold night, a big bon fire. Very woodsy, but with undertones of… the beach? Yes, almost like an ocean spray I think, with a bit of vanilla.

I wanted it more than anything.

I could feel myself stand as the scent blew though me, like it was meant for me to keep. It was coming towards me and I could feel my excitement bubble as I felt the source travel toward me, like a moth to a flame.

I felt the air move around me and I was suddenly engulfed by it. I reached out and as its fingers wrapped around my hand, my eyes flew open.

Luke held my hand in his.

He smiled distantly and my breath rushed out at once.

"Are you okay?" he asked, concerned.

"Yeah. I'm fine," I said, inhaling his scent deeply.

He smiled and gave my hand a quick squeeze.

"It will get easier," he said quietly.

"What?" I asked, closing my eyes again.

"The whole, smell thing. The sense thing in general. I know it's a lot to take."

"Why do you say that?" I said rocking back and forth.

"Because all you can seem to do is concentrate on my scent," he teased.

"Oh well… sorry. Why do you smell so… amazing?" I asked taking a whiff.

"I do?" he asked, sniffing his arm.

I shifted my footing and he sighed.

"I guess I smell okay. I've smelt better," he teased.

"Oh really? Like who?"

"You seem to come to mind. Very entrancing," he smiled.

"Really?" I asked in shock.

"I seem to thinks so and I've always had excellent instincts when it comes to matters such as these."

"I'm sure you do. What are you 103, 104?"

"I'm not telling," he said, feigning insult.

"Give me a hint. Please?" I asked, with pleading eyes.

"I witnessed all the marriages of King Henry the eighth, danced with Marie Antoinette. I watched the Boston Tea Party from the shore and many other things," he said, a little smugly.

"You've done all of that? That's amazing… how can you say all of that so nonchalantly? I would give anything to see those sorts of things," I said in awe.

His joking demeanor broke and he looked down.

"We gave our lies…" he said thickly.

I was utterly shocked at his reaction.

Most vampires I know love eternal youth, eternal life, and they let you know it but Luke… he never has been like that…

He remained quiet and felt quilt pour off of him. I reached out to touch his shoulder and she smiled down at me, weakly.

"You know I never meant this for you. I didn't man for this to go so far, for this to happen," He said gesturing at me.

"Don't feel bad about this. It was a mistake. Don't be so hard on yourself," I said as he took my hand.

"How can I not? I ruined your life. This is it Belle. We are not going to age, trapped in this body forever," he said detached.

"I'm sure it's not so bad…"

"Yeah because they are more lenient on tunings now. You didn't lose your family. How do you know they won't leave you anyway?" he asked.

"I don't know. But look on the depressing side, you have to put up with me for an eternity," I said, trying to make him roll his eyes and laugh.

His eyes grew slightly bigger and he stepped closer, closing in the distance between us. I caught my breath. He laughed, dropping my hand and stepping back from me.

"You don't want that. We both know it…. I just came to grab those forms. I'll turn them in-"

My phone started going off and he nodded.

"It will just be one second…" I said apologetically.

"Take your time."

"Hello?"

"Hey Belle, are you feeling any better?" Charlie asked.

"What?" I asked, confused.

"Danni told me you were sick, that's why you couldn't make it to our date?" he asked.

"I'm fine now," I said as Luke waited patiently.

"Great, I got something for you," Charlie said as a knock come from the door.

"I'll get it," Luke said as he moved to the door.

Luke opened the door and Charlie bounded in with a bowl of soup in Tupperware.

"You do look better… I brought you some soup to help you get better," he said, handing the container to me.

"That's so sweet," I said as Luke's eyes grew wide.

I frowned as I opened the container and placed it to my mouth. Luke shook his head and I tipped it in to my mouth and after three gulps, my stomach churned. I turned my head away from the soup and placed it on my night stand.

"I'll eat the rest later. Luke was here to help me with my homework," I lied effortlessly as Luke sat in my desk chair.

"Thanks for helping her I guess," Charlie said a little icily.

"Yes. Thank you Luke," I said as both Luke and Charlie rolled their eyes in unison.

"I have to run baby, text me later. Love you," He said, kissing my cheek.

Charlie left shooting Luke a dirty look and Luke looking amused.

"Looks like Romeo's trying to show his ownership," he said smirking.

"He doesn't own me…"

"Have you told him that?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Well he should know," I said crossing my arms over my chest.

"He thinks so. You're his girl are you not?"

"I'm not his girl."

"So you broke up?

"Not exactly-"

"My point, you're still going out. He thinks you love him."

"Well, I don't do I?"

"What's that supposed to mean!"

"I don't know. You keep doing things and they're confusing me," I said stamping my foot.

"What's so confusing? I'm just doing what you want from me!" he said throwing his hands up in the air.

"I don't know what I want from you. You keep changing!" I said shaking.

He tried to calm down and dropped his hands to his side, slightly shaking.

"How do I keep changing Belle?" he sighed.

"It's hard to explain. You're all menacing and then you're…"

"What! What am I! I'll tap your mind I swear to-"

"Sweet, nice, funny, romantic, take your pick!"

"Well what do you want me to do about it?" he said through clinched teeth.

"Why don't you just pick one and stick with it!"

"Are you sure?" he asked, eyes blazing.

"Yes. Yes I am," I said nodding my head fiercely.

"Well okay then," he said putting his hands around my waist and stepping toward me.

For a split second he stopped to look me in the eye and in one fluid motion, we were kissing.

I started slipping out of reality but was still somehow tethered by Luke. It was like no other kiss I'd ever gotten before. How come it had to be him? How come it had to be Luke? I must have done something wrong to tick god off for him to punish me this way.

"Isabelle?" he asked softly.

"Yes?"

"Can you stop thinking for a minute and just let me do this?" he asked breathing lightly.

"Sorry," I sad as I slipped out of reality once more.