Thursday, July 2, 2009
Chapter 5. Lessons
“On the count of three. One, two...”
“Three!” Emmett grunted before Esme could finish, and shoved hard against my hand. I felt my hand lost an inch or so. A wide grin spread across Emmett’s face.
“Losing your touch already, little sister?” He smirked. “I told you so! You can’t beat me once the newborn’s effect wore off. I’m still the strongest Cullen!”
I glared at Emmett, who was shooting a mischievous grin at Rosalie. I was letting him have his moment before; but I couldn’t stand it whenever he started to boast. I flexed; the boulder beneath us gave a loud deafening groan and split neatly into two. In a blink of an eye, the match was over. I had emerged victorious.
“Yay! Momma won!” cheered Nessie as she applauded loudly. She was fascinated with our regular Sunday afternoon arm wrestling match; it always made her eyes wonder with awe whenever her fragile looking mother won against her big, muscular uncle.
“You were saying...? Big Brother?” I teased and Emmett snarled through his clenched teeth.
“Just you wait. In a few months or so, it will be my turn to laugh...” Emmett murmured under his breath. He turned, and stalked off in the direction of the house. Rosalie gave an uninterested yawn and followed soon after.
I snickered and whirled around in Edward’s direction. He was carrying our little angel; his face beaming with pride. It lasted for a few seconds before it changed into amusement; I had just tripped over a piece of jagged rock while walking over to them.
Nessie giggled, sounding like a high-pitched peal of bells; and Edward was still smiling in amusement. But Alice was frowning.
“Okay, that’s it. No more delays!” Alice grabbed my hand and dragged me towards the house. I threw a confused look to Edward, who just shrugged and followed behind us. Alice dragged me up to her room while Edward stayed downstairs with the rest.
I sat on her bed while she went to retrieve something from her huge walk-in closet. Feeling astonished, I shook my head as I waited. I could never understand why anyone would need such a big room just for clothes; it was even bigger than my old bedroom at Charlie’s house!
She came out several seconds later, holding a pale mint coloured evening dress. It was a strapless satin dress with a chiffon bow at the waist; the bottom was elegantly crafted with layer of chiffon material from the knees till the anklets.
“Are we going anywhere?” I asked when Alice was done helping me into the dress.
“Put these on.” Alice ordered as she threw me a pair of stiletto heels. I stared in disbelief as I looked at the three inch heels I just caught in my hands.
“Must I...”
“Yes of course. Don’t argue with me.”
I sighed in defeat and slipped on the heels. I tried to stand up; and after a few tries, I finally succeeded.
“Where are we going?” I asked again as I wobbled slightly on my feet.
“Nowhere.” Alice simply answered. She took a step back and analysed her work.
“This is better.” She nodded and gave a satisfied smile.
“Nowhere?” I repeated, confused. Then why did I have to dress up like this?
“Oh, I’m just going to give you lessons on walking gracefully.” Alice answered to the confused look on my face.
“If you seen yourself just now, you would agree with me.” Thinking back to the little incident just now, I frowned. I wasn’t that bad, was I?
“Okay, I’ll demonstrate first. Then you’ll follow.” With that, Alice started to glide gracefully across the room. She could give the best dancer in the world a run for her money. I tried to mimic her exact movements, but failed terribly. I could hear Emmett’s muffled laughs every time I landed on the floor. Edward must have told the rest of Alice’s plans.
“Just you wait till I get down there Emmett!” I hissed as I got up, hearing more laughter from Emmett, who did not even bother to conceal it anymore.
After what seems like eternity, I finally got the grasp of it and could move gracefully across the floor without landing on my face. I looked up at Alice hopefully, who gave an approving nod. Finally, I thought, as I plodded down on her bed to remove the killer heels.
“No, no!” Alice stopped me.
“You must show it to the rest. They’re dying to see how it all turned out.”Alice had a huge grin plastered on her face. Dragging me out of the room before I could protest, she came to a sudden halt at the top of the stairs.
“Now make me proud okay?” She winked and skipped happily down the stairs, where the audience was waiting.
Taking a deep unneccssary breath, I focused on Edward and Nessie’s beautiful faces and glided gracefully down the stairs to their side.
“You looked gorgeous, love.” Edward gave me a peck on the lips. Nessie reached out for me and placed her hand on my cheek. She replayed the scene where I tripped this morning and when I walked down the stairs moments ago. Okay, I was that bad.
“Bella! I never thought that you can actually walk like that!” Emmett whistled. I smiled proudly. Alice stepped out front and took an exaggerated bow.
“Lesson one completed. Now, what should I plan for lesson two?” Alice murmured to herself as she walked over to the couch and sat next to Jasper.
What? There are more lessons? Groaning, I sat down at the nearest chair and took off my shoes. I began to rub my ankles absentmindedly, even though my feet do not ache from all the walking in the three inch high heels for hours. Another advantage for being an immortal.
“Now there Alice, don’t change her too much will you? I loved her the way she is. Clumsy and all.” Edward chided her playfully.
I shot Edward a grateful look as he looked into my eyes. I melted on the spot, and continued staring into his liquid topaz eyes. It was too mesmerising. I could stare at them all day long. Just then, Nessie gave a loud yawn. I looked out of the window for the first time since I came downstairs. Night had already fallen. Wow, I thought. I did not realise that I had actually spent hours perfecting my walk.
“Alright, we’re going back. Nessie is tired. Alice, I’ll return you the dress tomorrow.” Everyone else waved goodbye and murmured good nights. Alice just waved dismissively in response; she was still busy planning my future lessons.
Slinging the heels over my shoulder, I slid my free hand into Edward’s and stepped into the cool darkness. We sprinted our way back home, where the comfort of our cosy cottage was waiting.
***
8:46 PM
