Continuation of the Twilight Saga- Old Sun: 16

16. Truths and Lies

Today was Monday, my first day of school after the party disaster. I
had to begin tutoring Matt, and stay discreet at the same time. I slipped into
my car with Alice, after having a nice, healthy breakfast of sweet coyote
blood.
"Jasmine, I never thought I would say this, but why haven't you told
your friends the truth? Edward told Bella in chapter nine. You're still
waiting?!?" Alice emphasized.
"I didn't know you would want me to... I mean, what if they start
avoiding me. They're not like Bella, you know, who didn't care at all what
Edward was; she only loved him 'uncontrollably.' But for what reason,
Alice? What reason?" I replied, changing the subject entirely. Alice ignored
my question.
"Just, please. Take them to the clearing today, and confess."
"Fine." I said, annoyed. If Matt and Shane were really my friends,
they would accept me. Telling my secret to Lindsay was out of the question,
since she was such a gossip spreader. I drove to school as slowly as I could,
taking my time. I sat through my classes, and when school was over, I went
to Shane and Matt. This was the first time I had seen them after the party
incident, and it was kind of awkward.
"Uh... We have to talk..." I said.
"Is this about Spanish?! I promise, I'll let you tutor me, it's just that
I'm grounded for a week since I tried skateboarding to school without my
mom's permission and now she's pissed at me so please just don't hurt me—"
Matt stammered.
"Dude, slow down. What is it, Jasmine?" Shane shut Matt up.
"Let's go on a...walk." They agreed, and got into my car. I drove them
to the clearing in the forest, without a word.
"Where are we going, Jazzeh?" Matthew kept repeating.
"Please shut up." Shane yelled.
"Well, here we are..." I said, gesturing towards the beautiful opening.
It looked amazing, especially with the pink flowers, and the butterflies.
But...it seemed fake. Matt collapsed into the long grass. He closed his eyes
and lay there.
"Let's hope he's dead and make a run for it." Shane whispered.
"I heard you!" Matt retorted. I could see this wouldn't work.
"Meet me here, at 5:30 tonight." I ordered. I then turned to Matthew.
"It's tutoring time."

"Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh—"

"Oh..my..GOSH! Please, I know you really like that song, but DON'T
KEEP SINGING IT!" I totally spazzed out. Here we were (Matthew and I),
listening to the radio, and one of my favorite songs (Nothin' On You by
B.o.B. feat. Bruno Mars) was on, and Matt was ruining it with another song
that I don't like as much (O.M.G. by Usher, feat. Will.I.Am.).
"Okay, okay. Fine." Matthew took out his Spanish book. He looked
around, confused at the roads surrounding us. "Wait, you picked me up from
my house...Aren't we going back to your place?"
"No, the library." I told him. When we got to the library, Matthew
immediately went to the "ANIME/MANGA" section. He began to flip
through a Naruto manga.
"Matt." I hissed, "Get your butt over here." The librarian shot me a
dirty look. She turned to her co-librarian (is that even a word?!) and shook
her head disapprovingly. I took out my Spanish textbook, and began reading
a short story about a kind man who meets his rude, uptight cousin.
"El hombre le tendió la mano a su primo, que se mantenía erguido en
el lado de la pared." I recited.
"Hmm?" Matt asked. I repeated the sentence.
"What the hell does that even mean?" Matthew questioned, while
texting someone on his cell phone. I snatched the Motorola from him.
"Seriously? The Spanish test is next week. I'll be surprised if you even
pass the test. But, your mom says you've got to get at least an A-. So,
STUDY!"
"Shhhhhh!" The librarian glared at me through her glasses. I smiled
apologetically. At least I didn't suck your blood, woman.
"Huh? What was that?" Matt said.
"Uh... Nothing." Did I just say the 'suck your blood' thing aloud?
Oops.
"You wanna bail this place and get a smoothie or something? I would
kill for a Tropical Blast right now."
"I'm—er, allergic to smoothies."
"Fro-yo?" Matt offered.
 "I'm lactose intolerent."
"Chinese food?"
"Vegetarian."
"Fine, how about the place that sells nuts?" Matt laughed at his own
pun.
"Not punny. Okay, sure. How about peanuts?" Peanuts were one of
few foods that I could actually swallow. They tasted 'nutty,' given that they
were peanuts. But also kind of sweet.
"I'm allergic to peanuts. They make my throat swell up and I can die."
Matt chuckled.
"So...Let's get some peanuts?" I whispered. "I'd love to see that
allergic reaction."
"Not funny." Matthew looked into my golden eyes, his dark brown
ones looking as if he was staring through my soul. I immediately felt bad,
and instantly knew Matt's strong point—his hard stares with his solemn eyes
would just keep looking at you until you regretted your mistake.
"Sorry." I mumbled.
"Out of the library! Both of you!" The angry librarian pushed us out of
the library and closed the doors behind us.
"I can't believe we got kicked out of there. I feel so bad-a$$ right
now." Matt smiled devilishly.
"Hmm." I checked my watch. It was already 4:30. I had to prepare
myself for the 'confession time.' "I'm sorry, Matt. I have to go. I'll see you in
an hour!" I grabbed my bag, and left the site.

-----------------------------
Alice stood in front of me, holding a bunch of index cards. "Now,
what will you do if they start screaming and running around?"
"Uhh..." I strained to remember. "Grab them both, cover their mouths,
and drag them to my car. Explain that I'm a 'vegetarian,' and offer to buy
them a smoothie or something if they shut up." Alice smiled proudly.
"You're a natural. Now go get 'em, tiger! Good luck!" Alice hugged
me, and I left the house at about 5:22, knowing that in about 10 minutes I
would have told my deepest secret to some guys I had just met about 3-4
months ago.
When I arrived at the clearing, I felt ready and sure of my self. I
waited for the next 5 minutes for Matt and Shane to get there.
Both guys arrived, disscussing some Naruto episode. The moment
they saw me, their expressions turned from smiling to serious.
"Look, I have to ask you guys something..."
 "You can ask me anything, Jazzeh." Matt winked. Shane shoved him
in the grass, and Matt lay there motionless.
"Are you okay?" I politely asked. I kneeled over next to where Matt
was lying.
"GOTCHA!" He abruptly stood up and attempted to kiss me on the
cheek. I quickly stood up, and blocked his overly-pouty lips.
"Get SERIOUS!" Shane pulled Matt down and sat on his left leg.
"You were saying?"
"OW!" Matt yelled.
"ARE YOU GUYS GONNA LISTEN OR NOT?!" I screamed.
"Woah, calm down, Jazzeh." (I'll bet you know who said that).
"Stop...calling...me...that.." I shuddered with anger. The entire
meadow was quiet, except for the occasional chirping of a bird.
"So, what did you wanna tell us?" Shane awkwardly broke the silence.
"Um, are you guys scared of bloodsucking demons?" I pretended to
dig a hole with my silver ballet flat. Given my strength, I probably did.
"You mean vampires? If they're extremely hot, then no." Matt winked
as I rolled my eyes. Shane thrust his size 9 Vans-clad foot forward and
kicked Matt's shin. Matt pushed Shane over in the grass with surprised force.
Shane yelled out.
"DUDE, YOU'RE SO HOT!"
Matt flipped his hair Bieber-style (please see: 'Justin Bieber hair flip') and
smiled modestly.
"I know ri—" Shane abruptly cut Matt off.
"NO...I mean your body!"
"I KNOW RIGHT!" Matt exclaimed louder.
"NO, I MEAN YOUR TEMPERATURE!" Shane screamed. I stayed
perched on a nearby log. Some blood-induced popcorn sounded good just
about now...
"Oh." Matt stared at his shoes, humilated. "'Cause I could swear you
meant the 'sexy' kinda hot.." His cheeks fired up and turned pink under his
tanned skin.
What was this, a recap of Adventure Time with Finn and Jake?
"You think I'm some kinda emo gay guy?"
"Hey, hey, hey! No hatin' on the gay community!" Matt put his hands
in front of himself as if to push away Shane and his thoughts.
Shane flipped his jet-black bangs across his face. "Whatever." They
both turned to me.
"So, why are we here again?" Matt asked. Shane nodded in approval.
"I...I'm...." I suddenly forgot everything Alice had taught me. It was
now or never.
"I'mnothumanyouguys." I rushed my words.
"What the...?" Shane and Matt exchanged nervous glances.
"Wait! I know what you are!" Shane seemed excited.
"Say it. Out loud. Say it." I recited.
"A...a... Mexican." Shane seemed dangerously serious.
"WHAT THE HELL, MAN?! NOW YOU'RE RACIST?!" Matt
screamed.
"I'm Spanish, you idiot." I said, gravely.
"DUDE, STOP BEING SO FREAKING RACIST!" Matt yelled.
"I'm not...I just thought... Whatever." Shane repeated what he had said
about 3 minutes ago.
"Uh.. You guys.." I said, nervously.
"Hm?" Both Matt and Shane stared at me curiously. "Are you
pregnant? Shane, what have you—"
"GOD, NO, I'M NOT PREGNANT, AND I'M NOT MEXICAN
EITHER! I'M JUST A VAMPIRE!" I screamed. Leaves rustled in the
background and the entire place felt calm and serene. Shane and Matt
exchanged nervous glances.
"Oddly, we believe you..." Shane looked at me in awe. Matt nodded.
"But you have to prove it." Matt stared at me. I demonstrated all of my
unique powers. My special ability to sense what someone wanted; my
sparkle-y ness, my speed, etc.
That night, I headed home with newfound happiness.
And then I automatically knew, which fortunate mortal I was in love with...
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

"MMMMMMMMAAAAAAAAAAATTTTTTTTTTTTT?!?" I yelled
in disapproval.