Edward: The Guardian

Chapter 1

I stepped off the plane with my mother early Sunday morning. We just arrived in Forks, Washington, my new home. I mean, our new home. Can't forget about my mom. Well, actually, I do. 99.9% of the time, which is why I am constantly getting in trouble. I always forget to call her and whatnot. Whatever, she can handle it. It wasn't like I was gonna run off with a bunch of junkies or anything like that. Well, maybe I'd run off with my friends or something, but still, did it matter? I was responsible for the most part. I always followed rules and refused alcohol and stuff, so big deal, lighten up already. One of the perks of moving to Forks was that the town was so small, my mom promised she wouldn't bother checking up on me. Yeah, right. Sure. I'll believe when I see it. As if she has her own life. Anyway, it was raining. I wasn't surprised. I actually did research on the town. Weird, but I wanted to be prepared. I loved the rain, and I loved being surrounded by trees, so I knew I would love it here. They sold cars at the airport. Weird… oh, well, easier on us. Mom got herself a red Ferrari. Yeah, right, in her dreams! Or mine…. Anyway, no, she got some Toyota. And me? I got a used red Chevy truck. Sweeeet. In the back of my mind I imagined myself offroading in the forest… back to reality, we drove home in our own vehicle. Well, mom drove, and I followed her like a stalking tailgater would. We finally arrived to a small two-bedroom house that sat at the edge of the forest. It felt…homey.

"Well, Bella, honey, how do you like it?" I turned to my mom and smiled.

"I absolutely love it!" and I wasn't even hammin' it up. I really did love it.

I dragged my bags upstairs to what I claimed as my room. Its walls were blue, my favorite color, and there were yellow lace curtains. Nice. I think I could make it work.

"So, how ya settling in, kiddo?"

"Oh my GOSH! What is wrong with you! Can't you knock? So simple. Seriously, you coulda killed me!"

"Stop overreacting, sweetie!" I swear that woman was like a silent banshee at the moment! Like, seriously. She could be all loud and talkative when she wanted to be, and other times, she moved like a phantom, and it was just creepy. Especially in the dark, when a face just pops in front of you, asking, "Do you need another blanket?" How inconvenient is that, really? You're falling asleep and then BAM! You're wide awake 'cuz you just had a heart attack.

"You know what, mom? I am going to finish unpacking, and then get ready for school, and you are going to find someone else to pester. You should get a dog. Those little lapdog yappers, ya know?" She walked out with feigned hurt and I continued with what I was doing.

I woke up bright and early, not wanting to be late on the first day. I got in my new used red truck and drove to Forks High School. I sat in the school parking lot, hyperventilating. I rubbed my temples and played Claire de Lune to try and calm myself. I finally composed myself enough to get out of the car. I looked at my schedule, which was mailed to our home in California before moving here. What was my first class? Hmmm…. Checking, checking, checking… wonder what the food is like here… are there any cute boys? A car honked his horn. That sure snapped me and my wandering mind back to reality. Okay, first class, biology. I checked the map and made my way towards the building. I checked the sign above the door to make sure I was in the right place.

Room 16

Building 5

Mr. Banner

Biology 101

Yup. I was there. One calming breath and a panic attack later, I turned the knob on the door and stepped into the classroom.

Huh? Was I late? Impossible, I left early! What time is it? I looked at my watch. 7:58. I had 22 minutes until class started. Hmm, maybe I wasn't the only one who worried about punctuality. Unless this was something else entirely. Whatever. I didn't want to actually have to think about it and use my brain until necessary. I looked at the teacher sitting in the desk in front of me, who noticed my arrival.

"Ah, you've arrived. We've been waiting for you." Did that sound creepy or what? "Class, this is Isabella Swan, she's new here, so you all better welcome her," was that a threat? "It's Bella," I informed him. "Huh?" What was there to get? All I said was 'Bella'. He couldn't comprehend that? Seriously? It's just a name, come on! Why was I so irritable today?! And the first day of school, too! My nerves were frazzled, that was the problem, 'cause I definitely wasn't PMSing. "My name is Bella. It's what I prefer. Please call me Bella," I said with emphasis. I hated being rude, but today I was more dysfunctional than usual. "Oh, okay then. Class, this is Bella," he said, copying my exact pronunciation. Was he being funny? "Our two other new students are Edward and James Cullen. You may take your seat now, Bella." "Thanks," I grumbled, so that it was practically inaudible. I shuffled my way to the back table in the middle row, where the only empty seat was. It was a three-person table, and I was doomed to sit in the middle of two guys. Guys, can you believe it? How was I supposed to talk with a guy? Two especially cute ones at that. Oh, well, I embarrass myself on a daily basis, so why not start now? I pulled my chair out and sat down. Something finally caught up to me. How is it that I realize just now, that these two boys are twins? I mean, I saw them as I was walking towards my seat, but my mind didn't comprehend it 'til just now.

"Um, hello, Isabella. I'm Edward. I'm also new here. I'm pleasured to meet you," the boy on my right said. I turned to shake his hand, but I was instantly lost in his deep green eyes. I must have been ogling, and I realized I was still clutching his hand. I pulled back and smiled. "On the contrary, the pleasure is all mine. And please, call me Bella," I said in a breathless voice, trying my best to be as flirty as possible. He was just…wow. WOW. W-O-W! WWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOWWWW! Just…wow. Words could not describe his seraphic face. He had the deepest green eyes I have ever seen, auburn hair with a bronze tint to it, and the handsomest smile I have ever seen on his angular face. He was quite muscular, but not in a 'too buff' kind of way and was covered all in white. All in all, he was hot, and he was perfect, and he would be sitting next to me everyday for the next year. YES! If I could, I would be screaming. "Uh, that's my brother, James," he said as he indicated the boy on my left. I turned to look. Wow. Carbon copy of Edward. I liked that. Just as hot, and just as near. Wait a minute, when did I become such a player, taking up so much interest? Ugh, gotta stop thinking like this. Anyway, just let me ogle a little while longer so I have something to spill to my friends. He was just like Edward, except his hair was the darkest black I've ever seen, like liquid ink that shined in the moonlight. He turned his piercing gaze to me, and I nearly gasped. His eyes were just as black, and they were scary. Why was I suddenly reminded of a shark when he flashed his teeth at me in a smirk at seeing my own smile disappear at the sight of him? He was dressed all in black, and was like the complete opposite of Edward. That was my prophecy. They were alike, and yet so different. Edward's face was warm, kind, and inviting, while James's was cold, cruel, and truly frightening. Hold on! What was I talking about! I barely met them! I gotta get to know them first!

"Uh, hello," I said uneasily. His smug look grew and he just nodded before returning to his position that very much reminded me of a big lazy cat. Mr. Banner passed out microscopes and Edward and I had to differentiate slides onion root cells and whitefish blastula cells. James had chosen to ignore us and decided to prop his feet up on the table and take a snooze. Mr. Banner took no notice. Great. He was one of those teachers. I guess it could work in my favor. The hour passed quickly, and I wasn't ready to leave Edward. I didn't know anyone else, and I guess I had quickly developed a crush, or something of that ilk.

The bell rang, and I was bursting with sadness. I gathered my books and was about to walk away from the table to leave. Just as I was about to tell Edward goodbye, he grabbed my arm.

"Hey, Bella, do you mind me asking if you would like to join us for lunch today? I don't know anyone, you don't know anyone, so why not?"

"Of course I'd love to sit with you!" I said a little too quickly. Maybe too quickly. Did he even understand my words? It must've sounded like some weird psycho-babble. But luckily, he got my words.

"Yes, Isabella, it would give us the greatest pleasure if you joined us. I guess I'll be seeing you later." James winked before sauntering out the door. I looked over at Edward, still shocked by that confrontation. He was clutching the back of his chair tightly, very tightly. I could see his knuckles turn white. His eyebrows were furrowed, and his mouth was set in an angry line. His face seemed as if it had actually been cast in a shadow. Was he angry? Why would he be angry? All I could think of was that anger definitely didn't look good on him. He seemed to kind for it. The bell rang again as a warning. "Bye, Edward. See ya at lunch." And then I was off for my next class.