The Boy With the Blue Eyes


Love - a wildly misunderstood although highly desirable malfunction of the heart which weakens the brain, causes eyes to sparkle, cheeks to glow, blood pressure to rise, and lips to pucker.

- Lynda Barry


CHAPTER ONE:

TRULY, I DIDN'T WANT TO GET OUT OF MY TRUCK'S COMFORT ZONE. I'd rather stay in here, basking in the warmth, than to go outside were it was cold, and raining. I didn't have a choice, I had work to attend to. I sighed silently, squeezing my eyes shut, before willing myself to get out, and dash as quickly as I could to the Newton's Olympic Outfitters.

Of course life had other plans. I was almost at the door, my fingers almost reachable to the door's handle, when my legs tangled themselves. I waited for the impact, but it never came. Slowly, I opened my eyes.

Two hands were holding me by the armpits, steadying me and keeping me away from the hurtful ground that wanted to pull me down. My face heated up with embarrassment. Why was I cursed with clumsiness? None of my parents had this problem. Someone was chuckling, at me for sure, and I had a vague idea who was holding me. I squirmed in their arms, trying to stand up.

"Hold up," Mike chuckled, "you don't want to fall, do you?" he teased, adding more to my embarrassment.

I kept my eyes averted from his. "Thanks, Mike." I mumbled, standing fully up, with my face ducked down.

By now, he'd stopped laughing. "No problem, Bella. You gotta be careful, you know. This isn't the type of weather to be running in - especially you." he teased some more, and walked past me to open the door of his parent's store. He waited for me, much to my further embarrassment, and went in after I myself was inside the comfortable, warm store.

"You're okay, though, right?" he asked, shaking out his blonde hair like a dog. I flinched away from the tiny specks of water that made themselves over to me. I didn't want to get any more wet - thankfully, though, I wasn't that wet. I'd fallen in the protection of the front door's little roof.

I was taking off my jacket and putting on my blue work-apron that had my name tag Bella Swan, before I answered him. "Yes. Thank you."

He himself was putting on his apron, with his name tag Mike Newton. His mother wanted to add in the Hi, my name is. . . thing, but Mike persuaded her to not do that. I was grateful. Much of our friends usually came in to bother us, and they'd make fun of us with that unnecessary tag Hi, my name is Bella Swan!

"Good thing I was waiting for my mom - oh!" he exclaimed. I looked over at him, and saw his blue eyes widening.

"What? What's wrong?" I asked worriedly, my brows furrowing. He looked over at me, smiling sheepishly, and then looked at the door, as if it were going to kill him. "Mike?"

"Nothing, nothing's wrong." he mumbled, "I might get killed, though. . . for making my mom wait outside. I'm supposed to be bringing back some boxes. But," he breathed, "I'm not, huh?"

I giggled, shaking my head. "You better go on then, Mike."

"Yeah," he nodded weakly. He walked towards the door, and opened it. Before he closed it behind him, he turned back to me, "It was nice meeting you, Bella." he smiled.

I couldn't help smiling. "Farewell, Mike."

Karen, Mike's mom, was a bit hot-headed when someone wasn't doing their work. Mike tended to be my knight whenever I did something wrong, and blamed it on himself - I usually thanked him a lot, or brought him some homemade treats. He would always have to suffer Karen't wrath, whether he deserved it, or not. Right now, I saw why he was so reluctant to go outside; he would surely get yelled at for not being were he was supposed to.

To be completely honest, I myself was little scared when Karen got all mad. I could already imagine the fear I'd have if she were to yell at me - but I would never have to face that fear, since Mike, thankfully, always takes the blame.

So the smile that was currently present on my face turned upside down. I felt for poor Mike.

Many minutes later, Mike came back with a heavy looking box in his arms, all soaked and red-faced, with his mom behind him, looking peeved off. I quickly looked away, and pretended to be doing something - even if there wasn't anything to do right now. Karen greeted me with a warm smile - I will never know how she channeled her emotions - and then glared at Mike, who was smiling sheepishly at me again.

"Hello, Bella," Karen smiled. "How are you? Things are slow today, aren't they?" she looked outside the windows to see the rain showers. Karen frowned.

I nodded. "I'm fine, and you?" I asked politely. "And things are slow today, yes, but I'm sure things will fasten up, soon." Even I knew my words were false. No one would want to come out into this rain. Plus, who would be hiking in this weather?

"Crazy people would only want to come to hike in this weather," piped in Mike - answering my unasked question. He set the box done just a few feet away from me. He let out a sigh, shaking his head again like a dog again.

Karen yelled, "Michael!"

It sounded odd hearing Mike's full name.

"Sorry mom," he flushed, grinning. I noticed the dimples that showed their presence whenever Mike smiled.

"Don't do that again, Michael - "

"Mike," he corrected automatically. I raised my eyebrows - is that how I sound when I correct people?

Karen rolled her eyes, sighing loudly, " - Mike. Anyways," she turned to me, "I' doing fine, thank you Bella - ever the sweet girl." I flushed at the compliment thrown my way, and ducked my head.

"Thanks," I mumbled.

"Oh, don't be shy with me! We're like family here." she chastised. A small smile curved my lips. "Besides, Bella, if no one comes in an hour or half-an-hour - you choose - then you can leave, sweetie."

I smiled, "Okay."

"And you, Mike," she rounded on poor Mike, who was looking at his mom as if dreading her next words, "are to make sure everything is in order after Bella closes the shop. Then you can leave."

Mike scowled, but nonetheless nodded. "Sure."

Karen left afterwards, saying something about cleaning the house up quickly before Mr. Newton arrived home from Port Angeles. I sighed to myself, and leaned my weight into a cabinet, watching Mike as he picked up the heavy looking box, but then dropping it. I winced when the box fell on his foot.

"Ouch," he said after a pause, his face getting redder and redder by the second. "That. . . that hurt." he grinned at me, his blue eyes closing slightly.

I giggled at the funny expression on his face. "Are you okay?" I asked after I'd managed to pause my giggles.

He nodded. "Yep, dandy." he looked down at the box, glaring at it. "Damn it."

"What's in it?" I asked curiously.

Mike shrugged, "Even I don't know. I think it's for my mom. . . or dad. Or both." he thought loudly, "Or, even better," his blue eyes smiled, "for me."

I rolled my eyes, "Keep on dreaming, Mr. Newton Jr."

He scoffed, "I am no Jr. I'm a Sir or senior - whatevers." We both laughed at the idiocy of our conversation.

"Anyways, I gotta get this over to the house. I'll come back shortly." he promised. "Then we can have a little party, if we want. I'll bring some sodas, and chips. . . and a radio, too." he thought. "Sound good?"

I smiled. Leave it to Mike to make things funner. "Sure, sounds awesome."

"Great, I'll be back soon." He then picked up the box - almost cautiously - and began to head to the back door.

Mike usually did our "little parties" whenever it was a slow day like this one, and when his mom wasn't around. We've never gotten caught so far, and I hope we don't. I liked these parties, they're fun. We usually joke around, or just listen to the music.

The bell above the front door rang, signalling the first customer - and probably last one too - of the day, and I was startled to see Edward Cullen there. I felt my cheeks heat up. He was a boy in one of my classes, Biology, and we've never really talked to one another - unless, of course, it's required to when working on an assignment in class. Edward Cullen and like the rest of his family, was unhumanly, undeniably, super-model gorgeous. His skin was white pale, the palest of pale I've ever seen, and his eyes were this gold, and sometimes these pitch black that made me queasy to stare at. His hair was unruly, a reddish, brownish color. He was. . . gorgeous, handsome, perfect - maybe too perfect. . . he was breathless.

He smiled politely, but his teeth didn't show. "Hello there, Bella." he greeted in that smooth, unnatural melodic voice of his.

"Hi, E-edward." I stuttered like an idiot. "H-how can I-I help you?"

Edward Cullen walked over to some samples of sleeping bags that were near the front door. He observed them, while answering me, "I wanted to buy some sleeping bags for my family and I."

Before I could answer, there was some shuffling behind me, and I heard a cheery voice, "Guess what Bella? I got us some cake. . ." his voice trailed off when he saw perfect Edward Cullen there. His eyes looked from me, to him, and then down at the junk-food he was carrying at in his arms. Edward was staring at it with a perfect, raised eyebrow.

"Hey, Edward." Mike greeted, the tips of his lips rising. He noticed Edward's gaze. "Do you want anything?" he asked politely, lifting the food in his arms slightly.

I smiled. Leave it to Mike to be the nice one.

"No, thank you Mike." Edward declined. "I just came here to buy some sleeping bags," he pointed at the ones behind him.

Mike was putting the junk-food in the counter when he answered, "Oh. You're going camping?" he asked, "Sorry for asking, just curious. Going out with this type of weather? Shouldn't you wait until the sunny days - I heard the sun was coming out tomorrow!" he exclaimed brightly.

"Really?" I asked, surprised. I didn't know that.

Mike nodded at me, "Yes." He turned to Edward, "And you're going on school days?" Mike asked, though neither of us were surprised. The Cullens tended to camp when the sun was out.

"Well, my family and I are in a hurry." Edward explained, "The place where we're gonna be camping not around here. We're going to Alaska."

"Alaska?" Mike echoed my thoughts of surprise. "Whoa."

I nodded. "Wow."

Edward smiled politely, looking from Mike and I, "Yes. Well, I'm going to need seven sleeping bags, please."

Mike nodded enthusiastically. "Of course."

I watched Mike as Mike walked closer to Edward, and begin a conversation with him about the best sleeping-bags. Mike sounded like he knew his stuff - which I knew he did. He took his job here at his parent's store seriously and took pride. I looked away when Mike turned to look at me, and blushed. I was looking down at my pale hands. Even my hands were beginning to turn rosy.

"Well, Edward, that would be forty-six dollars and twenty-nine cents," Mike stated with a smile, pushing aside the junk-food so he'd type in the amount into the cash register. Edward took out three twenty dollars from the front of his pocket like nothing. I raised my eyebrows.

Mike was beginning to carry three bags of the sleeping-bags when Edward asked him what he was doing - politely of course. Mike flushed, embarrassed, "Helping you. . .?" it came out more like a question. He seemed uncertain now of what he was doing, and I would too, if Edward Cullen's eyes turned to stare at me.

Edward smiled, "I don't think that's any necessary."

"Well, you see, if my mom where to come," Mike paused, as is listening for her entrance, "she'd get mad if she saw you carrying the boxes while I was here, talking to Bella. And besides, it's cool, man."

"Oh." Edward responded, pursing his perfect looking lips. "Well, in that case," he smiled at me - making my heart flutter and my face to heat up - and then nodded at Mike.

"Goodbye, Bella." he told me as the door closed behind him.

"B-bye." I stuttered like a fool. I gripped the cabinet I was leaning on, and cursed at my weakness. So what if Edward was unhumanly gorgeous? Mike's handsome too, in his own, much more humanly way.

Mike came back minutes later, drenched, but grinning. "He gave me ten dollars - as a tip!" His eyes shimmered with happiness. "All ten for me."

"Cool," I nodded, smiling. His smile was infectious.

He shook his head again like a dog, grinning some more when he saw me grimace. "Aw, cheer up Bella. It's just a little water." he said with a roll of his clear blue eyes.

I frowned. "I know that."

"I know you knew that, Bella."

"Okay then."

"Alrighty." he opened a bag of chips, and stuffed some inside his mouth. He offered me some, munching loudly, but with his mouth closed - and I gratefully accepted some.

I opened our cans or sodas, and handed him his. He smiled in thanks, and drank a lot, "Thanks. I've been hungry. I haven't ate today at all."

"And you're eating junk-food?" I asked disbelievingly.

He smirked. "Sorry ma'."

I flushed.

"So. . ." I started, "how's life been?" I mentally kicked myself for the choice of words.

Mike chuckled. "As good as it can be. Your's?" he asked, glancing at me.

"Okay," I nodded.

There was a pause before, "Hey, do you wanna go to La Push tomorrow? With all the others, too?" he asked suddenly, his eyes not looking at me, but staring out into the pouring rain. But I could tell he wanted to go, and his face was one of those faces he made when he was thinking hard or deciding something very important.

"Tomorrow?" I asked myself. Then I looked at Mike, "Sure. We haven't done anything in like, since forever." I agreed.

"Alright, I'll call Jessica, then the others." he beamed. Jessica Stanley was his on-and-off girlfriend. I couldn't understand the uncomfortable, unfamiliar feeling that burned inside my veins at the sight of Mike beaming at Jessica's name. I frowned, shocked, but nonetheless, continued to munch on the delicious cake Mike brought.

He'd phoned every of our friends, telling them about the trip he'd suddenly decided. Almost everyone agreed, except for Jessica, Lauren Mallory - a girl who for some reason didn't like me - and Angela Webber - one of the few girls I can trust here and my best friend. The trio were going to Port Angeles to do their nails. Jessica politely asked me if I wanted to go when Mike handed me the phone - but I could tell from Jessica's tone that she really didn't want me to go.

"No, it's alright." I declined as she pleased.

"Oh, that's a shame," she sounded sad. Then we hanged up.

You could tell Mike was excited, his clear blue eyes would shimmer and sparkle with happiness - they would make you want to smile and know what made him so happy, so you'd be happy too. Mike

Mike cleaned much more sooner that usual. I helped him clean, which he thanked me profusely. He seemed distracted, but it wasn't about the trip anymore, it was something much more, I could tell. I would occasionally open my mouth to ask what was wrong, but no words came out. I didn't want to ruin any thoughts he was having, and distract him.

We were closing the store when I asked him. "Mike, is there something wrong?"

He shook his head, still locking the door, but when he was done, he paused, his blue eyes flickering up to mine, and then he nodded. "Yeah, wait, no. . . Well, I don't know." he sighed. "Well, you see. . ."

"You can tell me anything, Mike." I said in the softest voice I could muster.

"I-I. . . never mind, I'm being stupid for thinking like this," he grinned up at me weakly. "G'evening Bella. See ya' tomorrow at school - if you're gonna be looking for me, look for a Hawaii'n bright blue shirt; that's gonna be me."

I giggled. "It's not like it's gonna be that sunny." I protested.

"Well, Bella," he was following me towards my truck, and watched me get in, "you only live once. Make it the best you can." he winked. Then, he took a hold of my door, and began to close it for me when I was inside of my truck and sitting down. Before he closed completely, he whispered, "Take care, Bella. Drive carefully, be cautious, and be safe Bella."

I watched Mike walk around the Newton's Olympic Outfitters and towards his home. My thudding heart seemed to be louder than the roars of my truck. It seemed odd how just this day changed everything for me. Mike was a nice guy, someone I can possibly trust.

"But what did he want to say. . .?" I murmured to myself, driving away from the store and away from Mike Newton carefully, cautiously, and safely.


A/N: Yes, I know, not much happens in this chapter. But we see Edward Cullen, and the good side of Mike Newton. Many of the Twilight fan girls hate Mike, and I blame SMeyer completely. Reason? She made other characters rude or these jealous, spiteful people that seem eviler than Victoria and all those other enemies - except for the Cullens, Wolf pack, and Bella herself, perfect. That bothered me, a lot.

So, me being one of those few people who loved Mike despite the way he was potrayed, decided to give Mike his chance! Here it is; The Boy With the Blue Eyes. I hoped you like it so far. . . or give it a chance! More will come, and more drama will appear. . . so yeah! Stay tuned!

By the way, Edward and Bella never strike up a relationship because Edward wasn't at all interested in Bella. So, yeah. Let's just say he can sort of read her mind? But he has to try really, really, really hard to read her mind.

ALSO, HAPPY NEW YEARS! :D

So, please. . . (because they make me extremely happy). . .

REVIEW!