Southern Exposure by Lari Smythe

Author:Lari Smythe
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: vampire, bella, twilight, cullen, jason, jacob, bella swan, izzy, lari smythe, izzy faulkner, boonsboro, boonsboro high school, lari

Chapter 14

I spent the rest of the night at the pool, just basking in the moment—our moment. The underbrush was gone now. The trickling waterfall just moisture on the rock face, but the still water that reflected the perfect fall, sky was beautiful. I'd been there for maybe two hours when I heard someone approach.

"I thought I heard you," Melanie said as she appeared through the trees. "Mind if I join you?"

"Of course not."

She eased down in the water next to me. "Cleansing your senses? How's that going?"

"No, I'm completely able to manage."

"I hear you told Elizabeth about him."

"She surprised me. I expected her to be angry."

"She's not the monster you think she is."

We both laughed at the irony. Melanie ducked under the surface and came up spraying water over me. I splashed water in her face.

"I'll tell you who surprised me, Benjamin."

"He didn't like it. I'm not surprised, you're his baby."

"Seriously?"

"Oh yes, there is no denying it. You're the child he and Elizabeth wish they could have had."

Okay, that was uncomfortable, but explained a few things. "I met Jason's mother."

"Really, I bet that was awkward."

"No, she's really nice—well except I got the impression she doesn't think I'm right for him."

"That surprises you?"

"Mind if I ask why you're so accepting? Last time we talked you warned me about what would happen."

She thought for a moment. "Well, I haven't changed my mind, but—"

"It's a welcomed distraction, right?"

"Distraction? From what?"

"Oh never mind." Maybe Elizabeth hadn't told her to accept this. In my present state of—well, bliss—I plowed head long into the kiss.

"He kissed you?"

"No, we kissed. There's a difference."

"I still think this is incredibly dangerous. Oh sure, it's all hugs and kisses now, but if your emotions get out of hand, well, that's the danger."

The rest of our time I spent explaining how I could resist feeding on him—Melanie wasn't convinced. I avoided the oppressive feeling of doom she'd left—that was for me to deal with. Before I knew it, the sky started to lighten. We said our goodbyes, and she made me promise to keep her updated. Then I was off. I glanced back before leaving, not expecting to see the pool again. I didn't need it anymore. The run home was exhilarating, faster than I expected so I was left with plenty of time to dress for school. I thought about wearing something other than black—I still had a few things from before the whole Emo thing—but decided to wait until Cathy and I went shopping. Melanie's little frolic in the pool had left my hair a frizzy mess, but there was no point dwelling on it. It wasn't like there was anything I could do about it anyway. I finally settled on a tight-fitting dress and set it aside so I could paint the appropriate exposed skin. Once the paint was dry, I slipped into the soft knit fabric. I adjusted the front zipper so it was just below my collarbone and put on a large silver pendant. I was definitely over dressed, but I didn't care.

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