{"id":125,"date":"2024-08-13T14:02:18","date_gmt":"2024-08-13T14:02:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/meekobuggy.com\/?page_id=125"},"modified":"2024-08-13T14:26:44","modified_gmt":"2024-08-13T14:26:44","slug":"chapter-07","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/meekobuggy.com\/?page_id=125","title":{"rendered":"Chapter 07"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Chapter 07<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Bella wished that they\u2019d get it over and done with during the entire graduation ceremony. It was long, boring and embarrassing as she tripped on her way over the stage to fetch her diploma. Awkward photos were being taken with Charlie insisting on taking some to send to her mother because he was so proud of her. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There were still a few hours to kill until the party – where Bella didn\u2019t want to go to but she did it anyway – and when they got home she went back to bed. It was weird to think that she was going to leave her father on his own soon, but then again, he had survived just fine before she arrived, and he had Sue. And Billy and the entire pack had his back even though he didn\u2019t know just what they truly were. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

She was ready for a new adventure and the rest of her life. She had meant it when she told Jake that she was tired of living a lie and that there were eyes on her all the time. Sure, she wasn\u2019t going to have it easy in New Orleans either, she was going to be without her parents for the first time in her life but they would only be a phone call away. She could shape her life the way she wanted to and explore this completely new side of herself. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jake could wait for her as long as he wanted but even if things went wrong between her and Kol, she wouldn\u2019t return to Forks on a permanent basis. To visit Charlie, yes, but not living there anymore. The world was big and right there for her to explore. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

She was ready. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As she stared at the ceiling, she realized that she was truly ready for it all and laughed. She didn\u2019t even have to fake the feeling of finally shedding everything. But first, she had to suffer through the graduation party, and she was not ready for that. At all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rebekah woke her up from her nap by dumping a bucket of water over her, soaking the bed as she did. \u201cHey!\u201d Bella whined as she jumped out of bed and looked at her. \u201cWhy did you do that?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGood, you\u2019re awake and partially wet. Get yourself in the bathroom and take a shower. It\u2019s time to prepare ourselves for the party.\u201d She replied with a big smile on her face. \u201cDon\u2019t worry about the bed, it will dry.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bella huffed and rubbed her eyes. \u201cI\u2019m going to need coffee first,\u201d she replied as she tucked wet strands of hair behind her ears. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rebekah started to push Bella towards the exit of the bedroom. \u201cI\u2019ll make you a cup while you\u2019re taking that shower. Since you\u2019re going to wear that dress, please don\u2019t forget to shave.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bella grumbled as she walked towards the bathroom. \u201cI thought I left the getting pushed around bit behind with Alice\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019m just very excited; that\u2019s all.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cUh huh. I swear, if you\u2019re going to take an hour to help me with my hair, I will kill you.\u201d Bella closed the door with a sigh.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI can\u2019t be killed, darling,\u201d Rebekah smiled widely. \u201cBut not to worry, I\u2019ll only need fifteen minutes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

~~<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI can\u2019t believe that Charlie had tears in his eyes, I didn\u2019t see anything,\u201d Bella noted as they walked up the path towards the party. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cTrust me, darling, they were there,\u201d Kol snorted. Ever since he saw her for the first time in a dress at her home he had this big, goofy smile plastered on his face. \u201cWhile you and Rebekah got ready he told me that he thought you were allergic to dresses.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s just a dress\u2026\u201d Bella replied. Well, it wasn\u2019t. She had to admit that she looked different. Cute, even. The champagne colored dress with the black lace top looked perfect on her, she had thought it would look good on her, but not like this. The little bit of tulle wasn\u2019t annoying either. While Rebekah was wearing high heels, Bella was satisfied with her ballerinas with a small heel. If she could avoid falling over then yes, please! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIf that\u2019s just a dress, I can only imagine what it would look like if you\u2019d step into the fancy stuff,\u201d Kol had deliberately not said too much about Bella wearing the dress. He knew she found it hard to get compliments for some stupid reason, but he had said just enough to make her cheeks turn this wonderful shade of pink. But she looked hot. Tremendously so and he had to reign himself in, establish some control over himself because this was different. It was almost as if Rebekah had chosen the dress just to mess with him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHey, Bella!\u201d Angela greeted her with a big smile on her face. She and her boyfriend Ben Cheney wore matching outfits, and Kol thought that was a little bit tacky. \u201cHi Kaleb! I\u2019m surprised you managed to get Bella out here tonight,\u201d she smiled widely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat? And miss out on all the fun?\u201d He returned the smile and pulled Bella a little closer to him upon noticing that Angela\u2019s boyfriend was looking Bella over as if she was something to be devoured. Bella was something to be devoured but only by him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWow, Bella, you clean up nicely!\u201d Ben said appreciatively before getting smacked in the chest by Angela. \u201cUh, Ange is taking pictures for the last school newspaper that we\u2019ll be sending everyone as a memento of this evening.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYeah, and I\u2019ll be emailing everyone with their pictures so they can print it out and do whatever with it,\u201d Angela confirmed and pointed to the blue sheet that was hanging between two trees. \u201cYou two fancy having your picture taken?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAbsolutely. Maybe you can take one of me and Bella and then us two with my sister?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhere is she, anyway?\u201d Angela said as she ushered them towards the sheet. \u201cUsually you three are joined at the hip.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cShe\u2019s wooing Eric, or at least making a poor attempt, so I see,\u201d Kol snickered as he saw his sister – without Eric – walk towards them. It looked as if there were thunderclouds over Rebekah’s head and that was amusing. \u201cAh, getting turned down, again, sister?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bella punched Kol in the arm. \u201cBe nice.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOr what?\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOr\u2026\u201d Bella thought for a moment. \u201cI\u2019ll be Rebekah\u2019s date and you can go solo.\u201d She didn\u2019t want to get her picture taken but did it, for Kol. She knew she would regret it later anyway. Maybe her mother and Charlie would love to have a copy of it as well. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Everytime Kol wanted to drag Bella onto the dance floor – something he knew she didn\u2019t like doing because she was clumsy, one of their male classmates would come over to flirt with Bella. After a while, Kol had enough. Bella was somewhat oblivious to the flirting, yet she was questioning why she wasn\u2019t invisible anymore. When Mike Newton – damn Mike Newton – approached them, Kol pulled Bella out of the chair she had been comfortably sitting on and pulled her onto the dancefloor when a slow song was playing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He pulled her close to him and slowly started to move. \u201cI\u2019m glad I\u2019m your date,\u201d he said softly in her ear. \u201cI don\u2019t have to compete with anyone for your attention, although it\u2019s fun to see them trying and fail.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She looked up at him and smiled. \u201cI suppose I\u2019m sort of used to it, being the new girl for a while, and they thinking I\u2019m interesting.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOh, but you are,\u201d he brushed a strand of hair out of her face. \u201cYou\u2019re extraordinary and you\u2019re the hottest bird at this party. I\u2019m so lucky.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cStop,\u201d she giggled and put her forehead against his chest to hide her beet red face. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He lifted her chin to make her look at him and he could feel his insides melt, she looked like such an innocent, but she wasn\u2019t. He was certain there was a lion buried underneath all that innocence and lamb-like behavior, and he couldn\u2019t wait to explore that with her. Forks was her prison; it was time for a prison break. \u201cDo you have any idea what you\u2019re doing to me, Isabella Swan?\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI could ask you the same thing,\u201d she said softly as she put her arms around him. \u201cEvery time you touch me it\u2019s almost as if there\u2019s a lightning bolt shooting through my body\u2026 a good, pleasant one and I get scared\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFor a very stupid reason.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNothing is stupid, Cuddles. Talking about how you feel isn\u2019t stupid either.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She sighed as she kept looking at him. It was hard to look at him, not because Kol was ugly or anything, it was completely the opposite. She had been feeling like this for a while now, and she usually tried to ignore her feelings because they were too much, weren\u2019t they? When he walked off the other day to relieve himself, she knew what was going on but she forced her head to play dumb. Because if at least one of them were in control over their feelings, things would be alright. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

She was more than willing to release her rage, but this was best kept in control. Because there was always a possibility that she\u2019d get hurt, despite Kol not have given her a reason to think that he\u2019d hurt her. \u201cI get scared because if I\u2019d even think of acting upon it\u2026 I mean\u2026 I don\u2019t want to\u2026\u201d she took a deep breath and bit her lip. Was she going to say it? Yes. He\u2019d want her to. \u201cDo something stupid and end up pushing you away.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Smiling, he softly brushed her lips with his own. “Go on, do something stupid, I dare you,” he said as he looked into her beautiful brown eyes. “Unleash that inner crazy person you’ve been holding back and I will show you that I’m not going anywhere.” Kol had seen glimpses of that Care-free girl inside of Bella, more of it in New Orleans but in Forks too, when she was sure nobody was watching. He loved it. He knew for a fact that she was going to do well in New Orleans, thrive, even, and he was scared that she might leave him in search for better. Then again, he didn’t know anyone who was better than him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“I can’t,” she bit her lip again and Kol let out an almost quiet groan. She had to stop doing that; it was too much of a turn on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Then I will,” he shrugged and started to kiss her. Innocently at first, but once she relaxed into it, he made the kiss grow and kept kissing her until a chaperone tapped the both of them on the shoulder, ruining the moment. The man kindly suggested that he and Bella left the floor and took some time to cool off. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The man was going to pay for the interruption. \u201cWatch this,\u201d Kol whispered to Bella and flicked his hand. Nothing seemed to be happening at first, but when Kol made a fist, the man was in a state of panic as he sloppily grabbed his tie and tried to get it off while gasping for air. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bella had to admit, it was slightly entertaining. However, she didn\u2019t want the teacher actually to die so after counting to thirty and noticing that Kol hadn\u2019t let him go; she punched him in the arm again. \u201cLet him go,\u201d she laughed. \u201cExplain to me how you do that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDo what, Cuddles?\u201d He asked as he let the teacher go and put his arm around her as they continued to walk off the dance floor. He then pointed at Jessica and gestured with his hand, almost simply flicking his wrist, causing Jessica to nearly have a Marilyn Monroe moment with her dress. \u201cSame as you\u2019d use a digital camera these days. You\u2019d simply point and click. Or in this case, think of what you want to do and simply use your hand as an exit point for the magic inside of you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou make it sound easy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOh, but it is. You\u2019ll see when we get to New Orleans\u2026\u201d he then looked at her. \u201cYou are still coming, aren\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d she smiled at him. \u201cOf course I am.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAnd not just because you want to take your revenge?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She stopped walking and caressed his face for a moment before pulling him down towards her and kissed him. \u201cBecause of you. The revenge is a bonus,\u201d she replied with a smile. \u201cOne problem though\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kol sighed as he knew the answer. \u201cYou haven\u2019t told Charlie yet.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI haven\u2019t told Charlie yet,\u201d she echoed. \u201cI was planning to, but I don\u2019t know how. He\u2019d like seeing me going to college in Seattle or whatever, not move halfway across the country.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou\u2019re old enough to do whatever you wish to do. I think he\u2019d be proud of you to undertake such an adventure all by yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMaybe,\u201d she said with a shrug. \u201cI just don\u2019t want to leave him, you know\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAll children must leave the nest at some point, Isabella,\u201d Elijah\u2019s voice sounded from behind them. \u201cIt\u2019s part of growing up.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhere did you come from?\u201d Kol whined. It was bad enough that his sister was around somewhere, but to have to deal with Elijah at the party too? Wasn\u2019t he a little bit too old?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI thought that seeing as I\u2019m here now anyway; we\u2019d discuss the plan to see if anything needs changing,\u201d Elijah said as he lead the two away from the crowd of people. \u201cI\u2019m sure that Rebekah will follow us soon,\u201d he continued in a polite manner. \u201cAs for your father, I believe I have taken care of that.\u201d When Bella opened her mouth to say something, he spoke again. \u201cI used my words, Isabella, do not worry.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat did you tell him?\u201d Kol asked, not surprised that his brother seemed to have thought of everything and even managed to work Charlie into the equation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI merely said that Isabella is a smart young woman who, during her time with our family in New Orleans, had shown an interest in visiting the city again due to its rich history and amazing atmosphere. That, if she\u2019d want, she\u2019d be more than welcome to stay with us for as long as she wanted to figure out what she was going to do next in her life.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bella had to admit, she was impressed. \u201cWhat did he say?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSurprisingly, something about your mother having roots in New Orleans.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d she said surprised. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elijah nodded as they stopped walking now that they were far enough from the party to be worried about eavesdroppers. \u201cYour mother once hired someone to trace her family line, simply because she was curious after a story her paternal grandfather had told her – that she was the first Higginbotham female born in a very long time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That sounded like such a Ren\u00e9e thing to do, finding out her genealogy like that before moving on to the next hobby. Bella wouldn\u2019t be surprised if she\u2019d unearthed more information than just names. \u201cI should talk to her about that,\u201d she said with a snicker. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI am sorry that you and I haven\u2019t had the chance to talk that much over the last two days, Isabella. While I\u2019m glad that you\u2019re alright and that you\u2019ve managed to sleep off the effects of whatever they had given you, I wanted you to know that Niklaus and I have been talking about your plan of revenge that you initially set up in New Orleans before coming here,\u201d he said as he looked at her. \u201cIn all fairness, despite my brother not knowing you that well, he has made it clear that he wants to help you to get your revenge by any means necessary. He\u2019s a master strategist and he has some ideas that could help you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat? Nik the advisor?\u201d Kol scoffed as he shrugged off his jacket and wrapped it around Bella\u2019s shoulders. Now that they were away from the crowd, the temperature had dropped somewhat, and he didn\u2019t want her to catch a cold. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI made it clear to him that it\u2019s going to be Isabella\u2019s crusade, not his. We all love a good revenge, but she deserves this one. I understand that the Cullen\u2019s numbers have already dwindled?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThere\u2019s four of them left now,\u201d Bella softly replied and hugged the jacket close, she loved how it smelled like Kol. \u201cI doubt, however, that it\u2019ll stay that way. They have a lot of allies that I merely got a glimpse of, once, some with their own unique abilities. They might gather some of them to join them in their crusade to get me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAre you certain they will follow you to New Orleans?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI am,\u201d Rebekah\u2019s voice sounded as she finally joined them. \u201cYou should have seen the looks on their faces when it came to Bella, it\u2019s insane. It\u2019s pure obsession and the hunger for more power. It\u2019s as if they\u2019re a pack of dogs and Bella is the bone they will not let go of under any circumstance.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elijah seemed to think for a moment and then slightly shrugged. \u201cIn any case, the word got out that there\u2019s a new Claire witch coming and the witches can\u2019t wait to help and teach her everything they know,\u201d he smiled at Bella. \u201cAccording to Davina, they\u2019re also quite scared seeing as they have no idea how powerful you are or can become. But if you really want to go through with the plan, you will have to work hard on mastering your craft to fight this battle.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDon\u2019t worry, Elijah,\u201d Rebekah said, there was a hint of boredom in her voice. \u201cI\u2019m certain that Kol will make it fun for her.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe question that remains is,\u201d Elijah said as he looked at the human girl. \u201cWhen do you wish to leave?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI vote for tomorrow,\u201d Rebekah said quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo way,\u201d Bella snorted. \u201cI have to pack.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe can buy you new things in New Orleans. Please,\u201d she almost begged. \u201cI\u2019m missing the sun, the warmth and most of all, the excitement that comes with the city.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019d probably need a few new clothes seeing as I don\u2019t own shorts but my clothes are coming with me. I don\u2019t have the money to buy new clothes. Speaking of which, I\u2019m going to find a job there.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The three Mikaelsons looked at each other with surprised looks on their faces before one of them composed himself and kissed the top of her head. \u201cIf you want to, you should,\u201d Kol replied. \u201cBut if you need anything, we\u2019re more than willing to—\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat\u2019s it,\u201d Bella pointed out. \u201cI want to be able to buy myself things if I need them or a gift to someone or whatever. With my own money.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAnd what did you have in mind?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d Bella said with a shrug. \u201cMaybe work in Cami\u2019s bar.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI do not wish to belittle you or your decision to look for a job as I have heard you value your independence now that you have it back, but I think that your main focus should be getting your magic under control first. No other\u2026 distractions.\u201d Elijah said carefully. \u201cGive yourself some time to get used to a new situation.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat my brother is trying to say is that you will not lose your independence if you give yourself some time to relax, learn and get used to a new situation. You can do whatever you want.\u201d Rebekah tried to translate her brother\u2019s words.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAnd I want a job.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cUgh, humans,\u201d Rebekah rolled her eyes. \u201cDon\u2019t worry, little sister, you will change your mind sooner or later when you\u2019ll be having too much fun to be responsible. I\u2019m going back to the party.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elijah sighed as his sister walked off. \u201cIsabella, I urge you to talk to your father about your plans and then start to pack.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bella didn\u2019t know what it was, but Elijah liked to talk with his hands, almost as if he used them to make certain words sound more important, trying to exert authority of some sort. \u201cI will,\u201d she simply said and took Kol\u2019s hand. \u201cBut not before Kol and I had another dance.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They didn\u2019t stay for much longer at the party because Bella did want to get out of Forks as soon as possible, and she had a lot to do in not much time. Charlie was waiting for them when they came back to the house, and Bella unceremoniously plopped herself down next to him on the couch. \u201cSo\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou want to go to New Orleans?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bella looked at him and nodded. \u201cI wouldn\u2019t have gone if I thought you were going to be alone again.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSweetheart,\u201d he smiled at her. \u201cIf you want to go, go. It\u2019s your life, your future, and you should do what you feel is best for you. It\u2019s not as if you\u2019re moving to the other end of the world.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAre you sure? I mean\u2026 I don\u2019t want to—\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBella, this is a great opportunity for you. Elijah told me that you\u2019ll be taken care of just as we\u2019ve taken care of his siblings,\u201d he put his arms around her and kissed the top of her head. \u201cI\u2019ll come visit you. You can come visit me. But you\u2019ve graduated now, you\u2019re a young woman who\u2019s ready to take on the world, and I know that Forks isn\u2019t the world.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAm I being too much like mom?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo, Bells,\u201d he kissed the top of her head again and let go of her. \u201cYou should pack what you want to bring with you and if you need anything else I can send it to you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAre you sure?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIsabella Marie Swan, stop thinking of your old man and do what you want. Just for once. Just do it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

—<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She woke up early the next day to quietly sort through her clothes and made neat piles of what she wanted to bring with, automatically discarding every piece of clothing she had received from the Cullens. Maybe it could be donated, but she\u2019d rather burn them all. She tried not to wake Kol with her movement through her room, but he was probably awake anyway, keeping an eye on her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To be honest, now that the plans for her moving to New Orleans were finally happening, she felt a little bit overwhelmed? Scared? Happy? Relieved? Worried? She wasn\u2019t quite sure, maybe all of the above. But, on the other hand, it felt good. New start. No prying eyes. Not having to behave because she\u2019s the daughter of the police chief or not having to be the mother to her own mother. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bella sighed as she got to her feet and went downstairs to the kitchen to grab a bin liner to throw in her old clothes and found Rebekah in the kitchen, drinking from her blood bag. \u201cAre we going tomorrow? This was my last one, you see.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI think so, yeah,\u201d Bella smiled at her as she grabbed what she needed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know if you had any plans of going to the reservation today to say your goodbyes to Jacob\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYes, I am, why?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBecause last night, when we were talking to Elijah, some of the wolves were there. It\u2019s quite possible that they won\u2019t allow you onto the reservation.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bella thought for a moment and nodded. \u201cThanks, I\u2019ll ask Jake to meet me at the treaty line.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rebekah then pointed at the bin liner. \u201cWhat are you going to do with that?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019m going to put the clothes Alice got me in the trash, where they belong,\u201d Bella said determined and went back upstairs where she found Kol rummaging through her clothes and messing up her neat piles. \u201cKol!\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d He cheekily smiled at her. \u201cIt was all too neat, I couldn\u2019t resist\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bella scowled as she pushed him away from her clothes and sat down on the floor again to rearrange it all. \u201cI swear if there\u2019s stuff missing\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kol shrugged as he sat down on the other side of the pile of clothes and grinned. \u201cI might have made a few items disappear, I might not have\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cRebekah wants to leave tomorrow, if you\u2019re going to make a habit of sabotaging my efforts to pack my bag, you\u2019ll have to deal with her because then we won\u2019t be leaving tomorrow,\u201d she picked up one of her checkered shirts, rolled it up and threw it in his face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDo you want to leave tomorrow, Cuddles?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe sooner, the better, to be honest,\u201d she said with a nod before she started folding everything into neat stacks again. \u201cI was planning on asking Jake to meet me at the treaty line today to say goodbye to him.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAlright, I\u2019m going to get dressed, and then you can tell me what to do,\u201d he got back to his feet and went to his bag. \u201cBut I probably should start with packing my own bag.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYep,\u201d she snorted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bella wasn\u2019t surprised that Jake was waiting for them at the treaty line that afternoon. He always waited for her, and that was a problem. Even his whole speech the other day was a problem. He wasn\u2019t going to like it that she was going to New Orleans, and she suspected that he once again, would say that he\u2019d be waiting for her in Forks if things wouldn\u2019t work out. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kol held her back for a moment after they got out of the car. \u201cWhat if he loses control?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHe won\u2019t,\u201d Bella assured him. \u201cNo matter his issues, he\u2019s in control over himself. Besides, I\u2019ve got you to stop him from attacking me, don\u2019t I?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He huffed in return and decided to sit down on the hood of the car as Bella walked towards her friend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHeya Bells, what\u2019s up?\u201d He greeted her with his usual goofy smile and opened his arms as to invite her in for a hug. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

She hugged him and smiled at him. \u201cThe sky, obviously.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s so important that you couldn\u2019t say over the phone?\u201d He then jerked his head towards Kol. \u201cDid he knock you up?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cJake!\u201d She said with a whine and hit him on the arm. \u201cNo, and whether or not we have done it, is none of your business.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSeeing as you\u2019re still referring to it as it, I doubt you\u2019ve done it,\u201d he said teasingly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAnd just so you know, your father is okay with me and Kol\u2026 Kaleb. He sort of gave his blessing during the barbecue,\u201d she said smugly, which resulted in a whine coming from Jacob. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d he said with a sigh. \u201cHe told me. He also told me to let you go, but I can\u2019t, Bella. I have never been able to.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou\u2019re going to have to. I\u2019m going to New Orleans.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYeah, I know,\u201d he sighed again. \u201cPaul, Sam and I were at the party last night; we overheard your plans. Paul and Sam are satisfied to see that you\u2019ve truly separated yourself from the Cullens and that you\u2019re not being coerced by the new people in your life either. I feared for your life when you dared to stand up against the male Original vampire though.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOh, you have no idea. Yesterday was mild. I blew up at him when we were still in New Orleans for\u2026 bullying his brother in the past,\u201d she said with a snort. \u201cBut Jake, just because I\u2019m moving away, doesn\u2019t mean you and I can\u2019t talk to each other anymore. There\u2019s this thing called the internet, and I\u2019m sure you\u2019ll love New Orleans if you come and visit.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cUnlike you, I have no desire to leave my friends and family behind, even if it\u2019s for only a couple of days,\u201d he said grumpily and looked at the ground. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYeah, and unlike you, I\u2019ve never liked this place to begin with, remember? I was much happier in warmer climates,\u201d she made him look at her. \u201cIf I stay, I won\u2019t be happy. Do you want me to be unhappy?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo\u2026 but what if they turn out the same as them?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cJake\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo, I\u2019m serious, Bella. There was nothing wrong in the beginning when you started to hang out with Edward. The only problem was that he\u2019s a vampire. Look where it got you, huh? At least you know I\u2019ll never change.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bella sighed, trying not to get angry with Jacob, but she couldn\u2019t help herself. He didn\u2019t want to be happy for her; he didn\u2019t want her to leave – despite everything that he had learned in the last few weeks. \u201cAnd that\u2019s your problem, Jacob,\u201d she shot at him, already feeling guilty about having to leave him like this but she didn\u2019t see any other option. \u201cYou don\u2019t change. You need to grow up because newsflash, you can\u2019t always get what you want. I\u2019m not saying things are going to be easy for me, but it\u2019ll be fine. I\u2019m not staying because you want me to. Goodbye, Jake,\u201d she said before turning around and walking towards Kol. \u201cLet\u2019s go.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou sure, Cuddles?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019m done with him,\u201d she said bitterly and got into the car. \u201cI don\u2019t wish him any harm, but he’s being an asshole, and I\u2019m done with playing nice.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kol laughed as he started the car, amused by seeing Bella like this, a little bundle of rage and impatience, more than willing to leave Forks behind and everyone in it but her father. She was ready for her freedom and he couldn\u2019t wait to find out what else she had in store for him once she had gotten used to the life in New Orleans. He could tell that she had certain expectations – seriously, why would she want to get a job? And Kol couldn\u2019t wait to show her that life\u2019s supposed to be all about fun and games and no cares in the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

While they were flying out to New Orleans the following day, Bella couldn\u2019t believe that she was doing it. But it felt good and from this point on, she decided, she would not look back. She had two suitcases in the hold of the plane, and she had stuffed some things into Kol\u2019s suitcase as well. There was no way she was going to leave without Bobby the Bear, even if her father would send her her remaining things when she\u2019d ask him to. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There was this slightly tingling sensation in her extremities that only grew as they got closer to New Orleans, almost as if something was waiting to erupt from her body. Sure, she was nervous, but this feeling was something completely different. She had felt it before, right before she magically threw Kol into a dresser. She smiled to herself. That seemed to be so long ago but in fact it hadn\u2019t been more than two months ago. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the plane landed and taxied to the gate, Kol held out his hand to help her to her feet, and the both of them were surprised when they got shocked. It wasn\u2019t like static electricity because that felt different, this was a jolt of energy that originated in their hands and running up their arms. \u201cWell,\u201d Kol said with a grin on his face as he shook his arm to get rid of the numb feeling and helped her up, blocking the magic now that he knew what to expect. \u201cSomeone has opened up.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bella blushed. \u201cWas that?\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOh yes, it was, Cuddles,\u201d he reached into the overhead compartment to get their backpacks. \u201cYou\u2019ve opened yourself up to the possibilities, to the potential and it\u2019s clearly showing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s also potentially dangerous,\u201d Elijah spoke, he and Rebekah had been sitting in front of them on the plane. \u201cYou mustn\u2019t lose control over your emotions until you\u2019ve balanced out.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHe\u2019s such a stick in the mud,\u201d Kol grinned as he nodded towards his brother. \u201cRemember you asking me how I did stuff?\u201d When Bella nodded, Kol flicked his hand as he winked at her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cKol!\u201d Rebekah hissed. \u201cDo not pull my hair!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t!\u201d Kol said innocently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe\u2019re disembarking a full plane, please do try to behave yourself,\u201d Elijah scolded his brother.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Go on, try it, Kol mouthed to Bella and Bella repeated the movement that Kol did and visualised tugging on Rebekah\u2019s hair, curious if it would work. She was a little bit apprehensive because of the two vampires and because she wasn\u2019t quite sure how not having practise at all would not result in her accidentally blowing everyone away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cKol!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt wasn\u2019t me! Honest! I swear!\u201d Kol laughed as they got off the plane. \u201cIt was Bella. Just\u2026 don\u2019t make her upset or anything,\u201d he said with a shrug. \u201cSince we\u2019re in the airport.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOh, now he\u2019s sensible,\u201d Rebekah said with a sigh. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry,\u201d Bella apologized as she looped her arm through Kol\u2019s and shoved the other one in her pocket. \u201cI should have known better.\u201d There were a lot of people around, she should have thought before she listened to Kol, but it had been fun to try; it didn\u2019t require much effort or concentration. She could imagine though that Rebekah was annoyed about it. Or Elijah, for that matter. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYes, yes you should have,\u201d Rebekah said annoyed as she started to make her way through the mass of people towards the luggage belt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDon\u2019t worry, Cuddles,\u201d Kol said softly and kissed the top of her head. \u201cRebekah is glad she is home, don\u2019t take it personal, she always gets a little bit grouchy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bella huffed. \u201cNo more babysitting us, you mean?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWell, you, and yes,\u201d he pointed out. \u201cTell me, you must feel at least a little bit excited to be diving head on into a new adventure.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOf course I am,\u201d Bella said as she fell into Kol after a businessman pushed past her in a hurry, knocking his carry on against her legs. If it hadn\u2019t been for her already holding on to him, she would have fallen flat on her face. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOi,\u201d Kol growled before using his magic to have the man\u2019s bag spill open all over the walkway, resulting in him cursing and ranting while he started to pick his stuff back up. \u201cServes him right, the wanker,\u201d he muttered under his breath. \u201cAlthough, I don\u2019t mind you falling into me every once in a while,\u201d he said with a lopsided grin on his face as he looked at her. \u201cI\u2019m your hero, after all.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019m not going to live that down, am I?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNope,\u201d he grinned and then let out a happy sigh. \u201cSo glad to be back here. The moment we got even close to New Orleans I could feel this burst of magic going through me and it\u2019s exhilarating.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat tingly feeling?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou felt it too? Did you feel it on your first trip here?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bella shook her head. \u201cBut I think I felt it now is because I am open to the possibility. I mean, I didn\u2019t even know there was such as thing as magic before.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOh yes, the possibilities are endless, you\u2019re going to have so much fun with it, I promise!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYes, but not in the airport,\u201d Elijah said as he turned to his brother. \u201cBoth of you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kol scoffed as he looked at his brother. \u201cIt were tiny spells, brother. No harm done.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Klaus was waiting for his siblings when they got to the compound. He stood on the balcony overlooking the entrance with his arms crossed over each other and then jerked his head for his siblings to come upstairs. Elijah told Bella to go to the room she had when she was in New Orleans before, and she wanted to protest. Mainly because she didn\u2019t like secrets. Kol, of course, saw how Bella\u2019s demeanor changed, gently took her arm and pulled her closer to him. \u201cDon\u2019t worry,\u201d he whispered, brushing his lips against her ear. \u201cI\u2019ll tell you everything once we\u2019re done. Go unpack. I might have arranged a present for you.\u201d he then kissed her and followed his siblings up the stairs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sighing, Bella made her way to her room with her bags and snorted when she saw a couple of books on the bed. Latin for Dummies, French for Dummies and New Orleans for Dummies. There was also a bag with fencing gear, she recognized it as fencing gear because she had seen Carlisle and Edward use it – they explained that although they didn’t need it, it wasn’t the same experience. The clothes were in the right size too. Bella assumed now that they were away from prying eyes that Rebekah or Kol could teach her things Charlie would get a heart attack from. She had to admit, the sessions of stick fighting they had in the last few weeks had been fun and worked to let off some steam.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She didn’t feel the need to unpack just yet; she had no idea how long she was going to stay at the compound and if Kol wasn’t staying, she didn’t want to stay either. She took her phone and decided to call Charlie to inform him that she had arrived in one piece.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She didn\u2019t know for how long she and Charlie were on the phone while she flipped through one of the books. When she saw a shadow appear at the door, she hung up and looked up. \u201cDone?\u201d She smiled widely at Kol, who was leaning against the door, and he didn\u2019t look happy at all. \u201cWhat?\u201d She got off the bed and walked up to him, seeing that he wasn\u2019t unhappy but worried. \u201cWhat\u2019s going on?\u201d She took his arm and pulled him inside the room and looked up to him. \u201cCan\u2019t you stay here?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not that, Cuddles,\u201d he muttered as he pulled her close and breathed in her scent. Even after having sat on a plane she still smelled bright as rain. \u201cI can stay here, I made that very clear to my brother. He may think I\u2019m a nuisance, but so is he. I don\u2019t trust him with you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bella nodded slowly. \u201cI would have gone with you if you weren\u2019t allowed to stay.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Letting out a snort, he kissed the top of her head. \u201cI need to tell you something and you have to promise not to freak out.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Blinking, she looked up at him, fearing the worst. \u201cIt can\u2019t be Charlie, I just spoke to him on the phone. Who died?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo one,\u201d he replied. \u201cBut Niklaus\u2026 well, I knew he had some questionable friends, met most of them, but he kept this one from us. Rebekah isn\u2019t happy about it either, and it seems that Elijah knew about this too. But, I suppose, if you\u2019re as paranoid as my brother, you like to keep friends who are on the opposing side to keep an eye out.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMakes sense,\u201d Bella said slowly as her mind worked in overdrive. \u201cYou\u2019re saying he has a cold one in his pocket?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI wouldn\u2019t say that, exactly, but this one\u2019s loyal to Niklaus after he ran into him in the 1800\u2019s.  My brother gave him and his mate the means to hide from whatever they had been running from,\u201d Kol explained as he caressed a strand of Bella\u2019s hair out of her face. \u201cAs it turns out, this one used to be best friends with someone we\u2019re both familiar with.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She realized that he was taking things slow on purpose so she wouldn\u2019t accidentally do something stupid with her magic and pinched the bridge of her nose with a sigh. \u201cJust tell me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHis name is Peter Whitlock.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat? Why? Why is he here?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou know him?\u201d Kol asked surprised.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo, I know of him. He and his mate were spared by Jasper in the wars. Why is he here?\u201d She had to be honest, the thought of Peter being here scared her. Peter was an ally of the Cullens, or at least of Jasper and Alice and that couldn\u2019t be good news. She also knew that he didn\u2019t follow the same \u2018diet\u2019 as the Cullens did. This made him unpredictable at best, hell, even Edward thought he was a danger to Bella seeing as his self-control was something he had to work on and made sure they stayed clear of Bella when they visited.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou should talk to him.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMe?\u201d Bella snorted. \u201cNo, absolutely not. I know enough to stay well clear of him.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNik promised you\u2019ll be safe. I\u2019ll be there too. I know that we just got back here and that talking with him is not a priority, but you have to talk to him. He\u2019s not as bad as you may think.\u201d When she didn\u2019t answer, he sighed. \u201cLook, he is hiding something. Nik said Peter demanded only to speak to you. I don\u2019t know why, Nik doesn\u2019t know why, but since he\u2019s a cold one, it must have to do something with your cause.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bella huffed and crossed her arms over her chest as she looked up to Kol. \u201cFine.\u201d She reluctantly followed him upstairs. What if Peter was worse than Jasper had been with controlling himself around humans? She could very well be endangering Kol now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHello, little Swan, nice to see you again,\u201d Klaus greeted her politely as he stood before closed doors. \u201cMy apologies for having you have to deal with this, but Peter insisted.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She raised an eyebrow as she looked at him. \u201cI sort of suspected you having dealt with the cold ones before, the way you talked about them and how you handled Edward and his siblings before, but this?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDon\u2019t worry, love,\u201d Klaus apologized and saw Bella wince at the word. \u201cHe\u2019s not here to hurt you. Not all cold ones are bad, and he is aware of your situation.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bella slowly nodded and relaxed her arms before taking Kol\u2019s hand and stepped into the room. It was another living room type of room; there were couches, and there was a coffee table and some art on the walls. Peter was sitting comfortably on one of the couches, his arm casually draped over the back of the couch and one of his legs was swung over the other. He got up the moment Bella entered the room, and she was taken aback by how red his eyes were. At least he wasn\u2019t hungry. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGood to finally meet you, Bella,\u201d Peter drawled as he extended his hand to her. Texan. Of course, he was a damn Texan, just like Jasper had been. He had this ruggedness about him that made her think of him like a cowboy and no doubt that he\u2019d have no trouble attracting women for himself. When Bella didn\u2019t shake his hand, he nodded. \u201cI can understand your apprehension,\u201d he continued, a smile on his face. \u201cI am a friend.\u201d He then looked at Kol and nodded at him. \u201cI know how much you care about her, I am here with the best intentions.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAh, for a moment there, I thought you had lost your ability to do your thing,\u201d Klaus spoke as he closed the doors. \u201cLet\u2019s sit, shall we?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWait, what?\u201d Bella said confused as she looked between Klaus and Peter. \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Peter smiled knowingly. \u201cAllow me to tell my story, Bella,\u201d he said as he gestured to the couch and watched how she pulled her boyfriend with her before he sat down himself on the other one. \u201cNo doubt you have heard about me. Knowing Edward, he probably described me as some monster, but that was what Jasper and I wanted everyone to believe. You see, he saved my life a few times, Jasper, and he became my best friend. You could even say we\u2019re brothers, that\u2019s how deep our connection goes. He allowed me to take his name when I forgot my own. He had a feeling that something was off when he was being courted by Alice and her family and wanted me to be his backup plan in case things would go awry.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bella swallowed hard. If getting killed by a pack of angry wolves meant that things went awry for Jasper, then he should use more powerful words, like\u2026 shitstorm. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cLike Jasper, Alice and Edward, I have a gift of some sorts. I know things. I don\u2019t know how, but I just know. It\u2019s quite possible that someone in my family was a psychic or a witch,\u201d he then smirked. \u201cEdward and Alice must have been so frustrated with you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bella slowly nodded. \u201cI uh\u2026 Because of me\u2026 he uh\u2026\u201d she sighed, having trouble to find the words. Still. She felt so guilty about Jasper\u2019s death and here was his friend talking about him as if he was still alive. \u201cI\u2019m sorry, he died.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI know,\u201d Peter said slowly. \u201cAnd it wasn\u2019t because of you, nor did the wolves retaliate for Seth\u2019s death. It had been Jasper\u2019s choice and somehow had managed to persuade the wolves to take him apart.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d Bella stammered. \u201cWhy would he do that?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Peter then smirked as he leaned back on the couch; his arm slung back over the back of the couch. \u201cBecause he was like you and by seeing how you fought against his gift and the drugging that the Cullens did, he got the strength to do the same. Leave,\u201d he then shrugged. \u201cAlbeit in a slightly bloody way.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She swallowed hard as she squeezed Kol\u2019s hand. It made sense why the wolves got the jump on him; it was because he allowed them to. Life with the Cullens had been hard on him, and he decided to step out. Permanently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI know what the Cullens did to you, Jasper has told me all about it, and I am so sorry,\u201d he said as he looked at her. \u201cKlaus told me that you wanted your revenge on them, will you allow the Major and I to join you?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSure,\u201d Bella said with a nod. \u201cWho\u2019s the Major?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Peter just smirked as he jerked his head to the door. Even Klaus had a self-absorbed smirk on his face. Bella looked at the door as it opened, and it revealed Jasper, wearing a big smirk on his face. \u201cMajor Jasper Whitlock, ma\u2019am, at your service,\u201d he said as he saluted and then opened his arms as Bella got up and ran to him. \u201cHiya, Bells,\u201d he sighed happily as she hugged him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When she let go of him, she smacked him in the chest. \u201cI saw you die! Why didn\u2019t you tell me!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI wanted to tell you,\u201d he replied with a grin on his face. \u201cI wanted to tell you everything, and how sorry I am for having manipulated you, but Jacob said that—\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cJacob?!\u201d Bella\u2019s eyes grew wide in shock. \u201cJacob knew?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jasper shrugged. \u201cHe\u2019s the most sensible of the wolves; I approached him first before meeting up with Paul and Sam, but Bells, you had to see me die. I didn\u2019t want you to, but you needed that extra push to sever your emotions and feelings completely from Edward and the rest of the family. I needed to be sure you would go through with this because they\u2019re a bunch of assholes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI can\u2019t believe this,\u201d she said as she moved away from Jasper and started to pace around the room. \u201cI must be still dreaming or drugged because this isn\u2019t happening.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cCuddles, calm down,\u201d Kol said as he took a step towards Bella but when she looked at him, he decided to stay put. If looks could kill\u2026 \u201cYou\u2019re not drugged.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHa!\u201d Bella snorted as she kept pacing, warily eyeing everyone else in the room. \u201cThat\u2019s exactly what a hallucination would say.\u201d She then pointed at Jasper. \u201cHow did you survive the wolves\u2019 mauling?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI wasn\u2019t burned,\u201d Jasper said with a shrug. Normally, he would have reached out to her and calmed her down, but he had promised himself not to do that anymore. It had been bad enough that he had done it in the last few years and felt guilty about it. \u201cThe wolves took my bits and pieces to a safe place away from the reservation and away from Carlisle and stayed with me until I was whole again\u2026 well, apart from the two thumbs that Rebekah took from me\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI can give you one back, mate,\u201d Klaus spoke up with a grin. \u201cI was sent one. Rebekah knows how much I love little souvenirs.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat is\u2026 slightly disturbing but much appreciated, thanks,\u201d Jasper said as he looked at Klaus for a moment before looking back over to Bella. She seemed to be in her \u2018outer monologue\u2019 stage right now, trying to piece everything back together. Things like these usually lead her to have a panic attack, maybe he should—<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo, don\u2019t even think about it,\u201d Peter scolded Jasper. \u201cLet it happen. You\u2019ve done it much too often now; you need to stop.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn any case,\u201d Klaus said as he looked at the two cold ones. \u201cYou\u2019re both more than willing to stay and help Bella with her plans. However, might I suggest you stay out of the sun and only explore New Orleans by night, with one of my nightwalkers until we\u2019ve found a solution for your little sparkly problem?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou\u2019re such a party pooper, Niklaus,\u201d Kol said, not keeping his eyes off of Bella. \u201cThis is New Orleans, two enormous disco balls walking down the street won\u2019t make anyone suspicious at all.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cKol! Be nice!\u201d Bella scolded him as she stopped pacing and looked at Jasper. \u201cYou\u2019re really here?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI am,\u201d he said with a snort, feeling how her state of mind shifted back to a normal one. \u201cAnd I am sorry for what Esme has done to you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNot your fault,\u201d Bella muttered as she walked over to Kol and put her arms around him. She still didn\u2019t like it that Jasper didn\u2019t tell her about his plans and that he showed up here, in New Orleans, of all places. She was even more surprised that Klaus had let him in. Hell, she wasn\u2019t even sure if they should trust Peter and Jasper. Like Peter, Jasper\u2019s eyes were bright red and with Jasper eating humans, it meant trouble.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOh,\u201d Peter said as he said with a nod. \u201cShe doesn\u2019t trust us, Major.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI don\u2019t blame her,\u201d Jasper said as he sat down on the couch. \u201cShe needs time; that\u2019s all.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glad that both men understood her, she let go of Kol and walked out the door, back to her room. She needed to process this. What did it mean? Jasper could have done all this just to screw with her mind, to talk her out of getting her revenge on Edward and maybe even kill her. Or worse, kill Kol so she would go back to Edward. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sure, the answer could be plain and simple. That everything they had said was the truth, and that they were here to help her but she had been too trusting in the past and Jasper had manipulated her feelings so she would comply. What if, though. What if they were speaking the truth?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She was glad she hadn\u2019t unpacked; it would make it a lot easier for her to put some distance between her and the two Cold Ones. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOh no,\u201d Kol said as he walked into the room. He had followed her downstairs and saw her eye her bags. \u201cYou\u2019re not leaving.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThey\u2019re here,\u201d she pointed out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThey can leave. You\u2019re staying, Cuddles,\u201d he said as he pulled her into his arms and softly kissed the top of her head. \u201cThey can stay at Elijah\u2019s or even Marcel\u2019s and they will be monitored. I\u2019m sure that when you tell Nik that their presence here makes you uncomfortable, he\u2019ll tell them to leave and arrange for them to stay elsewhere.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBut\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou\u2019re more important to Nik, trust me. You have more to offer than two cold ones with gifts; he\u2019d want you on his good side.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSo he\u2019ll only like me for what I can do in a couple of weeks?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kol snorted. \u201cDarling, he\u2019ll want you on his good side because he\u2019ll fear you once you learn how to control your powers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was Bella\u2019s turn to snort. \u201cImagine that, little old me being something to be afraid of.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOh and you will love it,\u201d he smiled widely at her before softly kissing her. \u201cLet me talk to Nik, okay? I\u2019ll be back in a bit. Get some rest or whatever. And unpack some stuff, make this room more like you and less like you\u2019re living at your grandmother\u2019s.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThanks.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though Kol stayed in her room with her that night, she wasn\u2019t able to sleep. Klaus had tasked Elijah with babysitting Jasper and Peter and moved them as soon as night had fallen, but she still didn\u2019t feel at ease. Kol was out like a light, and she decided to go for a little stroll through the compound. She got into a pair of jeans – there was no way she was going to walk around in her pyjama shorts – and quietly left the room. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

She took a deep breath to breathe in the New Orleans air. While it had been quite warm when they arrived, it had now cooled off to a more bearable temperature, and it was more comfortable to move around in. She had to get used to the heat if she wanted to survive longer than a week in the city; she had grown too accustomed to the gloomy weather in Washington. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The tiles of the compound felt cool to her bare feet; she loved it because while she was used to sleeping with her socks on, it was definitely not needed here. She nearly got crushed by a vampire being flung from the balcony above her. She yelped in surprise and managed to jump to the side, only to land flat on her ass because she tripped over something on the floor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She watched the vampire run off and then looked up to the balcony, seeing Klaus standing there, looking at her. \u201cShame,\u201d he stated with some boredom in his voice. \u201cAnd here I thought you were a witch.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOh, sure,\u201d she shot back at him as she got to her feet and rubbed her ass. \u201cI\u2019ve also had so much practise over in Forks,\u201d she continued furiously. \u201cI mean, I could do magic and shit while the only thing I could do here was blow stuff away and once, tug on Rebekah\u2019s hair. I\u2019m the baddest badass witch you know, and I still don\u2019t know what I\u2019m supposed to do with it!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWell, you could have started with that bloody vampire,\u201d Klaus snarled. \u201cIf you\u2019d blown him up, that would have been fun!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHow? Do you know how this works?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNot a clue,\u201d he said with a shrug. \u201cStart with focussing on what you want to do and I don\u2019t know, use a hand gesture?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bella realized he was intentionally playing dumb and only to provoke her into using her magic while she didn\u2019t have any control over it. She started to climb the stairs, imagining the balustrade Klaus was leaning on was crumbling away and flicked her hand towards it as she felt an energy surge through her body. The floor he stood on simply fell away and Klaus with it. \u201cDo you think I liked it being unable to practise magic in Forks?\u201d She said frustrated as she looked down at a surprised looking Klaus. \u201cThat your siblings had to step in whenever one of them was doing something unagreeable? Do you think I liked it being helpless? Where\u2019s the independence when you still have to rely on people stronger than you to fight your battle?\u201d She balled her fists in her pockets and took a step back in shock when the top of the fountain blew up. \u201cDo you think I like being out of control like this?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cCalm down, little Swan,\u201d Klaus said calmly as he brushed the debris off of him and started to walk towards the stairs. \u201cThere\u2019s no need to demolish my home. I only wanted to make sure my siblings told me the truth about your magic to see what needs to be done to get it under control and get you ready to get your revenge.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYeah well, you should trust them more,\u201d Bella muttered as she shoved her hands in her pockets and nodded to the mess. \u201cSorry about the mess.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNot to worry about that,\u201d he said with a smirk as he approached her. \u201cMy sister told me you three have been fighting with sticks, how did that work out for you?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt gave me something to put my anger into, for sure,\u201d she said as she looked at her feet. \u201cI think this all happened because you sprang Jasper and Peter on me today. Amongst other things.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Klaus nodded as he lead her into his study, careful to avoid the hole in the walkway. \u201cI\u2019d like to know if you\u2019re certain you want to go through with this. Your magic. Your revenge. You dating my brother. It won\u2019t be easy, and I am willing to give you all the help you need with the first two but when it comes to my brother, you\u2019re on your own. All I ask is for you not to screw him over.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bella sighed and counted to ten before replying. \u201cYes, I am certain. And as I told Rebekah, what\u2019s between me and Kol should be just that. I understand that you perceive him as a fragile human witch right now, and you want him to have a good, human life. But that won\u2019t happen if you try to control everything in his life.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHe\u2019s my brother, you can\u2019t tell me what I can\u2019t and can do. I know how stupid humans can be.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She snorted as she looked around his study; it was cosy, and there was an easel near the window with a painting on it. \u201cI\u2019m going to repeat the words I\u2019ve said to Rebekah on this subject. You do not have to worry about Kol; I have no intention of hurting him. In any case, I\u2019m worried he might end up hurting me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cVery well,\u201d Klaus said as he gestured to the couch for her to sit on. \u201cThen starting tomorrow, the kid gloves are off. You\u2019re expected to work hard without any complaint as we will help you to get everything under control. You will be pushed to your limits, and there\u2019s nothing you can do about it. Forks Isabella Swan is gone. It\u2019s time to become the person that\u2019s bubbling underneath your skin and live to your full potential. I\u2019m not even going to ask you if you\u2019re ready for that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBut I am.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGood,\u201d he poured them a glass of wine and handed it to her. \u201cDrink up, it\u2019ll help you sleep later.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She took a sip of her wine and looked at Klaus. His attitude was refreshing, although she was pretty sure that both Kol and Rebekah could be the same way. She had seen glimpses of that over the last few weeks. She was pretty sure now the both of them were back in familiar water without having to take other people into account, that she was going to see a whole new side of them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYour case is a tough one,\u201d Klaus continued and started to pace around the room. \u201cI find myself torn between berating you for talking to me as you did earlier and congratulating you with feeling confident enough in talking to me as you did,\u201d he looked at her with a smile on his face. \u201cThen, of course, we have the complication that you and my brother seem to be affectionate towards each other. I also have to take in account that you finally have the freedom to speak your mind to anyone and that makes it even harder for me to make up my mind.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI am sorry. But you started it, with your snarling.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI am well aware of that, little Swan, but there aren\u2019t a lot of people I allow to speak to me like that. I am not certain you have earned the right to do so just yet,\u201d she opened her mouth to say something but he continued. \u201cI am also aware of the fact that you are a very angry young woman and that I should give you at least some time to learn how to control your emotions and your powers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bella scoffed. \u201cYou make it sound as if I am to blame for what happened earlier.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBut you are.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou provoked me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou could have chosen to ignore me, and you didn\u2019t and it backfired, creating a hole in the walkway, and you ruined my fountain. Granted, it is better for all of us if your penchant for destruction stays within the confines of these walls, and that is why I am letting it go, this time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bella downed her glass of wine and got to her feet. \u201cHow about we both take the blame?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNot a chance,\u201d Klaus huffed with a playful smile on his face. \u201cThis is your fault. Go to bed, little swan, before you destroy more of my things.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Chapter 07 Bella wished that they\u2019d get it over and done with during the entire graduation ceremony. It was long, boring and embarrassing as she tripped on her way over the stage to fetch her diploma. Awkward photos were being taken with Charlie insisting on taking some to send to…<\/p>\n

Continue reading<\/i><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":96,"parent":98,"menu_order":6,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-125","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"yoast_head":"\nChapter 07 - MeekoBuggy<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"noindex, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Chapter 07 - MeekoBuggy\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Chapter 07 Bella wished that they\u2019d get it over and done with during the entire graduation ceremony. It was long, boring and embarrassing as she tripped on her way over the stage to fetch her diploma. Awkward photos were being taken with Charlie insisting on taking some to send to... 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Absolutely not. They would have known that there was something more to the girl other than her shield ability. Not even when he read it straight from their minds, was he\u2026","rel":"","context":"Similar post","block_context":{"text":"Similar post","link":""},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/meekobuggy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/missed_connections.jpg?fit=1150%2C575&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/meekobuggy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/missed_connections.jpg?fit=1150%2C575&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/meekobuggy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/missed_connections.jpg?fit=1150%2C575&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/meekobuggy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/missed_connections.jpg?fit=1150%2C575&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/meekobuggy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/missed_connections.jpg?fit=1150%2C575&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":123,"url":"https:\/\/meekobuggy.com\/?page_id=123","url_meta":{"origin":125,"position":1},"title":"Chapter 06","author":"Buggy","date":"August 13, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"Chapter 06 It wasn\u2019t difficult to admit that his heart had missed a few beats when Bella proclaimed her love for him in her drug-induced state. He did realize that it could have been the drugs talking and that he shouldn\u2019t get his hopes up so much, but at least\u2026","rel":"","context":"Similar post","block_context":{"text":"Similar post","link":""},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/meekobuggy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Sanctuaire_sliderimage.png?fit=1150%2C575&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/meekobuggy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Sanctuaire_sliderimage.png?fit=1150%2C575&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/meekobuggy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Sanctuaire_sliderimage.png?fit=1150%2C575&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/meekobuggy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Sanctuaire_sliderimage.png?fit=1150%2C575&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/meekobuggy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Sanctuaire_sliderimage.png?fit=1150%2C575&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":735,"url":"https:\/\/meekobuggy.com\/?page_id=735","url_meta":{"origin":125,"position":2},"title":"Chapter 11","author":"Buggy","date":"August 18, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"Chapter 11 While Myriam tried her best to master her ability to turn into animals instead of humans, Bella was trying hard to be as good as her sister, as fast as her sister, in trying to make her brain work the way Kol and Freya had suggested, but all\u2026","rel":"","context":"Similar post","block_context":{"text":"Similar post","link":""},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/meekobuggy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Intertwined.jpg?fit=1071%2C341&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/meekobuggy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Intertwined.jpg?fit=1071%2C341&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/meekobuggy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Intertwined.jpg?fit=1071%2C341&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/meekobuggy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Intertwined.jpg?fit=1071%2C341&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/meekobuggy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Intertwined.jpg?fit=1071%2C341&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":364,"url":"https:\/\/meekobuggy.com\/?page_id=364","url_meta":{"origin":125,"position":3},"title":"Chapter 01","author":"Buggy","date":"August 15, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"Chapter 01 New Orleans, 1781 General O'Reilly's arrival a few years ago had been the best that had ever happened, according to Mr. Jenkins. He brought back crime, invested a lot of money into New Orleans and changed the shape of everything. Of course, he was only taking advantage of\u2026","rel":"","context":"Similar post","block_context":{"text":"Similar post","link":""},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/meekobuggy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/bs1-e1723730795835.jpg?fit=1000%2C563&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/meekobuggy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/bs1-e1723730795835.jpg?fit=1000%2C563&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/meekobuggy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/bs1-e1723730795835.jpg?fit=1000%2C563&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/meekobuggy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/bs1-e1723730795835.jpg?fit=1000%2C563&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":963,"url":"https:\/\/meekobuggy.com\/?page_id=963","url_meta":{"origin":125,"position":4},"title":"Chapter 07","author":"Buggy","date":"August 23, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"Chapter 07 When Bella woke up, she wasn\u2019t in her own bed. In fact, she wasn\u2019t in her bed at all, but lying on a cold, concrete floor in a dark room in her pajamas. Her head felt like it was trying to split itself in two and something else\u2026","rel":"","context":"Similar post","block_context":{"text":"Similar post","link":""},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/meekobuggy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Exploit.jpg?fit=903%2C474&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/meekobuggy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Exploit.jpg?fit=903%2C474&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/meekobuggy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Exploit.jpg?fit=903%2C474&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/meekobuggy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Exploit.jpg?fit=903%2C474&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":739,"url":"https:\/\/meekobuggy.com\/?page_id=739","url_meta":{"origin":125,"position":5},"title":"Chapter 12","author":"Buggy","date":"August 18, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"Chapter 12 She had been on planes before, but then completely numbed down as the Cullens had been afraid of her. But Bella absolutely enjoyed the trip to Rome, Italy. She loved seeing the clouds from above and she was glued to the window with her sketchpad. It was only\u2026","rel":"","context":"Similar post","block_context":{"text":"Similar post","link":""},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/meekobuggy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Intertwined.jpg?fit=1071%2C341&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/meekobuggy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Intertwined.jpg?fit=1071%2C341&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/meekobuggy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Intertwined.jpg?fit=1071%2C341&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/meekobuggy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Intertwined.jpg?fit=1071%2C341&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/meekobuggy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Intertwined.jpg?fit=1071%2C341&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/meekobuggy.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/125","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/meekobuggy.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/meekobuggy.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/meekobuggy.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/meekobuggy.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=125"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/meekobuggy.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/125\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":143,"href":"https:\/\/meekobuggy.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/125\/revisions\/143"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/meekobuggy.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/98"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/meekobuggy.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/96"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/meekobuggy.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=125"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}