"Your main problem isn't with Bella or what her circumstances are. It's with the fact that you perceive yourself as a monster and not a real person. That's the main problem that you need to find a solution to." Arthur says as he looks at Edward in the eyes, his own as always unshaken and unflinching.
The room went quiet, impossibly so, the only sound being heard was the insects outside in the forest and the sound of Arthur breathing. The other vampires had gone completely still as they waited for Edward's reaction, perhaps his outburst.
Alice was already getting ready to jump in at any moment as she waited patiently, her muscles triggered for any sign of danger towards Arthur.
The silence was broken when Edward released a soft tired sigh.
"You're right. That's true." He said in a voice that was barely above a whisper, a regular human would have most likely missed it entirely.
"Monsters… it's a term created by humans, but at the end of the day it's just bullshit," Arthur said in his usual bland tone.
"First of all, aren't humans just animals as well? Then what do you think other animals perceive them as? Humans destroy ecosystems and devour and eat other animals. Aren't they monsters too?" Arthur asks, but it's a rhetorical question that he didn't expect an answer to.
"At the end of the day, vampires are just predators, just like humans are and just like lions are. They simply stand higher in the food chain. It's a basic part of life, not something you should hate yourself for." Arthur continues calmly as he looks at Edward.
"That's quite a simple way to put it but you aren't wrong," Jasper speaks for the first time in what felt like ever, his voice carrying a slight southern accent.
"I just want him to ponder over that. Take your time Edward, but do come up with an answer soon." Arthur said calmly as he got up from the couch.
"Is there any food in the fridge ma'am?" Arthur asks respectfully as he turns to Esme Cullen.
"Yes," The woman replies almost instantly with a soft-spoken voice and smile as she gets up hurriedly to move to the kitchen.
"I actually made some earlier, I tried making egg fried rice and chicken tenders."
"That sounds perfect, thank you," Arthur replies with a soft nod of appreciation.
–
It's tomorrow morning, the group of vampire students arrived at the parking lot in front of Forks High School, early as always as they stood around their cars.
Arthur, the only 'human' of the group stood next to Alice who was excitedly babbling on about a new line of fashion that had just been announced recently.
"Clothes are just that, Clothes. Why you get so excited about them is something baffling to me." Arthur says with a shrug of his shoulders.
"You can't say that. I'll have to take you on a shopping trip and then you will find the essence to appreciate clothing and fashion." Alice says almost instantly, her head already filled with hundreds of thoughts that instantly caused Edward to grunt.
"Being next to her must be quite the pain for a telepath," Arthur says as he gives a side glance to the man.
"It is, frankly the easiest people to be around are you and Jasper. Not a lot of thoughts and those that are there aren't forced or aggravating but more soft in a way." Edward replies.
It's at this moment that the loud barely working orange truck of Bella Swan parks itself on the other side of the parking lot by the road.
"She's here. What are you going to do?" Arthur asks as he looks at the truck with faint curiosity in his eyes.
"I'll be talking to her today," Edward replies, causing the rest of the Cullens to widen their eyes slightly.
"Gotten past the emo phase already?" Arthur asks jokingly though his bland almost emotionless tone makes him sound almost like he's just asking a regular question and not teasing about it.
"You need to work on your voice," Edward replies with a deadpan.
It is at this moment as they are gazing at Bella Swan that she turns her head towards them.
Simultaneously at the same time, a loud screeching sound and a horn are heard as a white minivan loses control on the road and starts heading toward Bella at high speeds.
Arthur sees it happen in an instant, his vision catching Edward as the vampire runs toward Bella at speeds a human eye wouldn't even be able to perceive.
'He's fast, much much faster than I am.' Arthur thinks to himself as he sees Edward grab Bella with one hand whilst stopping the van with his other. He sees Edward's hand pushing against the metal of the van, clearly leaving a hand imprint on it as the van finally stops a moment later.
It all happens in an instant as the surrounding people finally react.
Screaming is heard as people rush towards the incident scene.
"Well, this just got a lot more annoying," Arthur mumbles as he starts walking towards the incident site.
"Why didn't you stop this? Im sure you've seen it happen." Arthur asks Alice as the two walk together calmly. Emmet, Rosalie, and Jasper follow behind them.
"I don't know what you mean. I don't see everything that happens." Alice says with a steadfast tone.
"Sure," Arthur replies with his own bland voice as they finally reach there, seeing Edward still holding Bella on the floor and people had already called emergency services.
"Are you hurt, Edward?" Arthur asks, simply to keep up appearances as he crouches next to him.
"Im fine, thank you," Edward replies before finally noticing Arthur pointing to the indent on the car with his eyes.
A small imperceptible nod later and a hidden swipe of Edward's hand and the hand indent changes shape to appear like a normal random indent.
"Good, The ambulance should be here soon. Though you both appear to be fine, you should go to the hospital just in case." Arthur says and Alice who's next to him instantly nods.
'She most definitely saw all of us on the other side of the parking lot, she's going to want answers, Edward. Are you going to give them?' Arthur thinks as he looks at Edward.
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