Emmett gestured with his hand as they passed in front of the doors.
—Rosalie and Andrew's room... Carlisle's office... Alice and Jasper's room...—He stopped at the open door at the end of the hallway—And my room.
Nell's first impression was that it was as bright as the rest of the house. All the walls were painted white, except one, which was painted blue. There were a couple of oversized weights on the floor; shelves on some walls with music records and books that Nell longed to discover. But what surprised her most of all was seeing a double bed right next to the door.
Perceiving her confusion, he explained:
—Some prefer sofas to relax. I prefer a bed.
Nell chuckled softly and made a move to enter. But he blocked her path with his enormous body.
—To enter, you have to take off your gloves.
—What?— She frowned. Astonished.
—Remember when I said you had to get out of control? Well, I wasn't lying about that.
—You want me to lose control here? In your house?— Her eyebrows rose so high in confusion that they almost touched.
Emmett shrugged and slowly entered his room. Without stopping looking at her.
—It's the safest place. And besides, you have to start somewhere.
Faced with the denial on her face, Emmett had no choice but to insist:
—Listen, how about this: touch any object in this house. Records, books, even the stereo. I guarantee you won't feel bad doing it, and likewise, we'll have achieved the goal of this.
A morbid curiosity, perhaps, forced her to ask.
—And what is the goal?
—To befriend your gift. To control it yourself, and not the other way around.
Nell twisted her face.
—You make it sound easy...
Emmett approached.
—It is. The hard part will be maintaining stability.—He took another step closer and extended his hand—So, what do you say?
She looked at him almost mockingly. They were isolated in the forest, kilometers from town, and she didn't have a car to refuse and leave. With a resigned huff, she took off her gloves and entered, ignoring his extended hand.
—As if you'd given me a choice. —She muttered, knowing he'd hear her. She turned to him and asked:
—Where do you want me to start?
—Wherever you want.—He stood in the corner with his hands in his pockets. Nell couldn't help but replay that image in her head again. Her dream with Emmett... and his death. She closed her eyes for a moment.
—What's wrong?
When she opened them, she saw a glimmer of concern in those amber eyes.
—Could you take your hands out of your pockets?— She asked.
His brow furrowed.
—Why?
Nell sighed. She didn't want to give explanations, nor be curt with him.
—Please...— She pleaded with an intense look.
His face suddenly became serious. He had noticed the muscle tension; the discomfort spreading throughout her body. He wanted to ask, but he was sure she'd get even more uncomfortable. So, he took his hands out of his pockets and changed his posture.
—Thanks.—Nell nodded and turned around to appreciate the room. The windows were so tall they reached the ceiling.
She wandered near the paintings; many of them ancient. As if they were from another era. She approached one and, curiously, touched it. Before her eyes, images appeared of an old house; dances with enormous sophisticated dresses and high white wigs. Hands taking the painting and carrying it away from that house. A painting that traveled to many places until it arrived in Forks.
—It's from the 16th century, early thirties, more or less.—He explained, bringing her back to reality.
She tore her eyes from the painting to look at him.
—Why keep this here?
—For nostalgia.
—Do you collect antiques?—She suggested doubtfully.
—Only things that belonged to us in our time. That one you touched belonged to Carlisle. And since he always caught me staring at it in his office, he gave it to me.
Nell looked at the oil painting again. A drawing of a hunter alongside his dog, marching along the path into the forest. She suddenly felt that some images in her head began to fall into place. A hunter who supported his family; a figure that, despite being colossal, seemed small next to the immense and disproportionate trees.
—What are you thinking now?—He questioned while studying her attentively.
She responded almost without thinking.
—That your life is embodied in this painting.—She faced him and hurried to explain—I mean, not what I saw; that's completely different. But what I perceive from the drawing.—She fixed her gaze on the painting again—It makes me relive, in a way, the images I saw when I touched you for the first time.
Emmett absorbed her words before scrutinizing his interlocutor with interest.
—I think I have to be careful with you.—He smiled imperceptibly.—You're more observant than you appear.
She smiled slightly and sat on the bed. Running her hands over the comforter. Little by little, more images of Emmett appeared: reading a book, listening to music. Even if they were simple actions, through his eyes, it looked with a particular shine. As if he were a fallen angel on earth enjoying mundane life.
Nell wasn't very sure what her face reflected, but suddenly Emmett spoke:
—How are you feeling?
—I'm fine—she assured him, and although she bit her lip doubtfully, he must have seen the curiosity shining in her eyes.
—I imagine—he said with a smile—that you have some questions to ask me.
—A few.
He revealed his bright teeth before sitting next to her.
—Go ahead— he urged.
Nell felt dazed again by his closeness. Like almost every time they were together, but she tried to focus.
—When we had that school trip, you know, the greenhouse one, you talked about the Orchids. You said they were a timeless flower, and you compared me to them. I never understood what you meant.
Emmett threw his head back and let out a groan, inaudible like a sigh, but exuberant nonetheless.
—I can't believe it. You have incredibly intuitive and observant knowledge, but you can't decipher a simple riddle.
Nell crossed her arms angrily.
—I'm sorry, but I'm not used to such cryptic interlocutors.
Instead of getting angry, he laughed. Then he tilted his head and rested his arms on his legs; thinking.
—It referred to survival. Orchids survive no matter how terrible the storm. And when I saw you for the first time, I perceived that survival instinct in your eyes.
Nell stayed silent for a moment; absorbing his words.
—Do you think I'm a survivor?— She inquired confused.
—Don't you?
She said nothing.
—No—she admitted in the end. Then she ran a hand through her hair and sighed—If I'm honest, I didn't even think of it that way. I thought God was angry with me for killing that rabbit, and that's why he punished me with the worst luck. But, using your analogy, I suppose I've always lived among storms, although all of them have defeated me.
Emmett smiled at her.
—If they had defeated you, then you wouldn't be here. That's what survival is about.
—In that case, you are too.— She pointed out, making him frown.
—Why do you say that?
Nell rolled her eyes.
—Are you serious?—She fell silent waiting for him to say something, but since he didn't, she continued—You're a vampire, Emmett.
He couldn't be more confused.
—So?
—So?—She repeated—You survived terrible things.—She got up from the bed and pointed at him—You're living life after death and you're still surviving. And then you ask why?
The indignation on her face made him laugh.
—What's so funny?
At first, he didn't respond; he just looked at her with a warm, sly smile.
—Nothing. Just that I'd never thought of it that way.
Her head started spinning from the quick turn their conversation had taken. From the tedious topic of getting out of control with her ability, to declaring themselves warriors of life itself. She waited, and thought about changing the subject.
—I have another question
He observed her more attentively.
—What did Alice mean by me being here 'Finally'?
Emmett shook his head.
—I figured you'd notice—He sighed—It's nothing you need to worry about. Simply, Alice saw you arriving at the house many times before, but none came true. Except today's, of course.
Nell blinked, trying to understand.
—Are you saying I changed the future?
—No. I'm saying you made decisions that altered the future.—He sent her a reassuring look—But as I said, destiny changes. It's normal.
Although he told her not to worry, she couldn't help but consider the idea that perhaps she not only changed countless visits to the Cullens, but also her arrival in Forks and who knows what else. There was so much to ask... But, to her great shame, her stomach growled. Now she realized she was fiercely hungry.
—I think something's roaring inside you.— he said mockingly.
—I'm fine, really.
—Come on— Emmett got up from the bed and took her bare hand. She startled for a second; forgetting it was colder than an iceberg—We have to take you home.
Nell moved as if by inertia, letting him guide her. He led her to the truck and waited for her to settle in to close the door. When both were ready, he started it.
Despite Emmett having turned on the car's heating, she continued to perceive the cold sensation of his hand against hers. It didn't resemble touching with her gloves at all. This sensation was much clearer, more real, and satisfyingly raw.
In less than ten minutes, they arrived at her house. It wasn't surprising, really. He had driven at an extremely high speed, and although she asked him to lower it, it was still high. Fortunately, the seatbelt wasn't faulty.
She glanced at the window, noting familiar objects: the mailbox on the street of her house, wet and shiny from the sporadic rain; the steps full of dry leaves from the trees surrounding it; the front door under the shadow of the hedges and ivy covering the lattice.
—They like you.— Emmett commented out of nowhere, catching her attention—My family, I mean.
—And I like them—she smiled. But then she made a grimace—However, Rosalie...
Emmett laughed openly.
—I already told you. Don't worry about her.
—You say that, but you're not the one likely to have their teeth sunk in.
He got a bit more serious.
—I'd never allow them to hurt you.
From the way he said it, it seemed he wasn't just talking about Rosalie. Nell stayed silent until she finally asked:
—And Andrew?
—He thinks I'm crazy like Edward for associating with humans, which is true, but he has no problem with you. He's trying to reason with Rosalie.
—What bothers her?—inquired, not very sure she wanted to know the answer.
He sighed deeply.
—Rosalie is the one who struggles the most against what we are. It's hard for her that someone outside the family knows the truth, and besides, she's a bit jealous.
—Jealous of what?— She questioned, unable to curb her curiosity.
—Of you.— he said with a half-smile—Well, and of Bella too.
Nell fell silent again and observed him.
—Because we're human.— It wasn't a question. He just nodded.
—That's what she'd like to be.
—Even so, I don't justify her treatment—Nell pouted her lips.
Emmett laughed again.
—Neither does anyone. But don't worry. We'll keep her under surveillance.— He made a move to get out of the car, but she grabbed his arm suddenly. For some reason, his prominent muscles made her heart beat a little faster.
Emmett wasn't her type, and she knew it well. Never in her life had she been interested in guys with big, sculpted bodies that looked like Abercrombie models. So why now? Why him?
She looked at him for a good while in silence before realizing he was calling her.
—Did you see something?— He wanted to know.
Nell blinked; forcing herself back to reality.
—No, no. I was just going to tell you to stay here. No need to accompany me to the door.
—I'm sorry, but I was raised that way—he excused himself as he jumped out of the car before Eleanor had time to protest.
He used his super speed and ran to the porch. Nell arrived later and looked at him annoyed.
—I have neighbors, you know?
—Kilometers away.
Eleanor narrowed her eyes.
—My brother could have seen you.
Emmett smiled slyly.
—His scent isn't here. And therefore, neither is he.
His eyes took on that touch of disloyal seduction again. Nell couldn't debate with her gaze or arguments what, anyway, was a debatable point.
Nell growled frustrated.
—Better leave it at that.—She gave up, looking toward the street. It was night and there was very little light around, besides the porch lamp that illuminated faintly.
—I'm glad you decided to come today.— he confessed. Making her focus on him—And also that you dared to use your gift.
—Although it costs me to admit it, I'm glad too.—She sighed deeply—I realized that, among all the creatures that could exist, humans are the worst.— She looked him in the eyes—They kill without a trace of guilt or remorse inside. Whereas you..., everything you did in the past... wasn't just natural instinct, but also choice. You've saved more lives than you'd like to remember. So, if you ask me, you are the true humans.
His face adopted an inscrutable expression.
—Then you did see something after all.
Nell didn't answer right away. That sincerity was costing her a lot of effort.
—I know what you think of yourself regarding that. But, if it helps, I don't think you're a monster for hunting monsters.
Nell waited to see if he said something. However, he was silent. Looking at her deeply. Almost as if he wanted to do something more. She was ready to flee if necessary, but he surprised her with incredibly tender eyes.
—You're too good...—He began, with a slight smile—Or too innocent.
Nell rolled her eyes.
—You mean 'Realistic'.
Emmett smiled mischievously at her intonation.
—No. I'm sure of what I said.
She knew he wanted to tease her. However, she was famished, and didn't have energy for a verbal fight.
—You know? I'll pretend you didn't say anything.—She took the key from her back pocket and opened the door. With her hand on the knob, she hesitated while trying to prolong the moment. She turned to see him—Will I see you tomorrow?
He smiled.
—Yeah. I have some assignments to turn in. But especially, I'll reserve a spot for you at lunch.
—Do you think your sister will like the idea?—She inquired almost skeptically.
—I think she needs to understand that you'll be with us more often.
After everything that had happened that night, it was silly that that small phrase prevented her from articulating words. It seemed as if he was talking about a near future waiting on the horizon. One where she was recurrently with the Cullens.
—You'd better go in.—He said, snapping her out of her reverie—The sound of your stomach is deafening me.
Nell shook her head with a slight smile:
—See you tomorrow.
She didn't enter right away. She took her time to observe him before going through the door and waving at him from the window. Even so, she didn't stop watching him until Emmett got into the truck and drove away, making the tires screech against the asphalt.