The road had changed. The highway turned into street, the street into a back road, and now it felt like I was driving down a dirt path. My black Miata was pushing 80, and I prayed that this town wasn't heavy on the police control. Not like L.A., I could barely hit 60 on a side street without being followed by those flashing blue lights. It seemed like I was in luck. Not a single cop car in sight.
I tried to ignore the sound of my cell phone vibrating as I drove. I knew who it would be. Ever since I drove out of Los Angeles, my ringtone had been nonstop. Despite my father's parental duty, the constant calls came from my Watcher. He knew I had plans of leaving home, he just didn't know when. Harvey Steves, my Watcher, had been training me ever since I was 14. After my 14th birthday, somewhere in the world, a vampire slayer had died, and I had been called. I was the "Chosen One" who was supposed to protect the world from vampires, demons, and any other spooky things that might pop up. It was almost ironic. I was about 5'2'', and petite to say the least, I had dyed my hair black at one point to look a little intimidating, but it hadnt worked, and it had since gone back to it's original redish brown. But I had always been tiny. Vampires never even saw me coming.
I've been doing the slayer thing for quite some time, I'm just about 18, so that's almost 4 years of non-stop slaying, training, and more slaying. It was harsh; I keep the secret from my father, who was convinced I was just a juvenile delinquent who was running out at all hours of the night, skipping school, getting into trouble; not that he ever did anything about it. My life revolved around slaying. I stopped with school work, barely passing the grades, I lost contact with my friends, pushing them all away. I figured they were safer that way, and it was less of a strain to have to worry about anyone else. Being the only one able to save the world on a weekly bases was a challenge.
Then, there was a break. I finally got a break, and a big one at that. A few months ago, I was in a car accident, not my fault exactly, but there was another car involved. I got pretty banged up, and as a turn of events, I was technically dead for a minute or two, but the paramedics revived me. However, in the world of Slayers, it doesn't matter how long your dead. If you drop for even a second, apparently a new Slayer is called. That's when Jenny Carson was called to her duties, and sent to my Watcher. I saw this as my way out. With a new slayer around, I could be free. No more slaying, no more solitude. So, I took my chance. Harvey and I had been discussing it, then, as if it was a sign, my Grandmother sent me a letter, asking me to move up with her. She was my mother's mother, and her and I wrote each other weekly, saw each other on every holiday, and she knew I was unhappy in L.A. Ever since my mother had died when I was a toddler, my grandmother had wanted me to stay with her. And now, it was my choice, and there was nothing holding me back. I wrote Harvey a note, telling him I was leaving without being too specific, and I asked him to pass on the word to my father at some point.
The phone finally gave out just as I passed the line into my new town. "Welcome to Forks!" I smiled as I sped into the small town, and was exploring all the possibilities of being a normal girl from now on.
"My names Veronica, Veronica Yourn." I said to the school's secretary.
"Oh! There's your file. There's a 'u' in Yourn...I'll have to remember that." She chuckled. I rolled my eyes. "My, my. You're a bit old to be a Junior, aren't you?" She asked, taking a good look at my transcript.
"Oh, I have a late birthday and, uh..." She spotted the note that I had been held back in 8th grade. That was the year I'd become the slayer, not that the school was interested in that or anything.
"Well...let's get you a schedule." She said, clicking around on her computer. I sighed. I hadn't been focused on school in a while, and I was pretty used to blowing it off. But, part of being a normal girl is school, so it seemed that I'd have to start taking it seriously. She handed me a schedule, a map, and a yellow slip.
"Here's your things, and if you could have all your teachers sign the yellow paper, then bring it back to me at the end of the day, that would be great." She said, and that was my cue to leave.
I was at school fairly early, not many kids were here yet. I looked at my schedule, Math was first. What a joy. I checked the map, and found my way to the class. It was already February, so I had come in at almost the middle of the year. I hoped this school wouldn't pay much attention to a new girl.
Staring at my notebook, sitting at a desk in the front of my Math classroom, I heard someone enter the room. I was expecting the teacher, but instead, it was a very petite girl, with short brunette hair. She smiled, and came over to me.
"You're Veronica." She said, smiling. I frowned. Looks like people noticed new kids.
"Hi..." I said, half smiling.
"Come sit back here with me, all these seats are taken." She said happily. I looked down at my desk. Of course it would be someone else's desk. It wasn't these kids first day. They'd been here, established seats, friends, all that. I got up and followed the girl.
"I'm Alice. It's very nice to meet you." She said happily. I nodded.
"You too...how did you know my name?" I asked curiously.
"Rumors about the new girl, our teacher mentioned something..." She said dreamily. I had called the school a few days ago to tell them about my arrival, once I was sure I was coming.
"Great. I thought maybe I'd just ease in, off the radar." I frowned.
"Trust me, you're on everyone's mind." She said, smirking. The teacher walked in, and eyed me and Alice. I got up and walked to her desk. I introduced myself, and gave her the yellow slip to sign.
"Well Veronica, you can keep that seat next to Alice if you want. Actually...you have too. It's the only seat available." She joked. I just nodded and went back to my seat.
"So...Where are you from?" Alice asked.
"Los Angeles-"
"How come you moved to Forks?" She asked before I had even answered her first question.
"Uhhm-" I stumbled over this question. "Fresh start." I said finally. She nodded, still smiling.
"I think you and I are going to be good friends Veronica." She said, I noticed how bright her eyes were, the color was just like honey, they were beautiful. My eyes were a deep green, and I looked away from her, embarrassed by her superior eye color. The class had filled in, and the teacher began to teach.
The class ended, and Alice and I parted ways. However, the moment she had left my side, I was swarmed by other kids in our Math class.
"You're Veronica!" a group came over to me, I wasn't sure which one had called me out.
"Yeah, hi. I'm...Veronica." I said redundantly.
"Hi. I'm Mike Newton-"
"I'm Eric." I recognized his voice as the one who had called me.
"And I'm Jessica. This is Angela." The smaller, blonde one in pink said, and she pointed out Angela, a tall, thin girl with black hair, and white glasses.
"Nice to meet you guys..." I said
"What class do you have next?" Mike asked with a smile. He had very blue eyes, and a boyish smile. I checked my schedule.
"Uhm, looks like English. With Mr. Thomas?" I said. Mike glanced at the paper.
"Me too." He said. "C'mon, I'll take you there." He said happily. We departed from the rest of the group.
"Bye Mike!" Jessica called after us. I looked back, as she watched us walk away. Mike didn't respond.
"So, Veronica. Where yah from?" He asked happily.
"L.A..."
"Really? What are you doing in a place like Forks?" He asked. No one let me finish an Answer in this school.
"I just needed a change...desperately. Forks was my best option..." and only option.
"Do you like it here? It must be so boring compared to something as fast pace as Los Angeles!"
"Boring is safer." I said simply. He looked at me questioningly, but I looked away. My eyes fell over to a crowd of kids standing by a locker. Alice and I made contact. I gave her a small wave and a smile.
"You know Alice Cullen?" Mike asked, in awe. "I saw her walk out with you, but i thought it was just...coincidence."
"Well, kind of. I sit next to her in math. She's very friendly..." Mike looked shocked. "Why, what's the big deal?" Mike shook his head.
"Nothing, forget it. Here's our class." He said, steering me into the room. The class was already full. I walked over to the teacher's desk, and handed him the slip. He signed it, then pointed me out a seat in the back row. Mike's seat was right in front of mine, but the class was all reading quietly, so I couldn't ask him about Alice.
Everyone jumped up the moment class was over. It was time for lunch.
"C'mon, you can sit with me and the guys Veronica!" Mike said happily. I didn't have a chance to protest. The second we were out in the hall, all of Mike's friends had us surrounded. I followed them down to the cafeteria, and they showed me their table, and pulled up a chair for me.
"So Veronica, Mike said you're from L.A? That's so awesome. I would love to live in L.A, all the shopping, the sun, the excitement..."Jessica rambled on.
These kids are dying for some fun, I though. They were all so focused on what they were missing out on, that they didn't see what they had here in Forks. Security. L.A might have 'excitement', but an 'exciting' night usually ended up with multiple, unsolved homicides, and myself staking vamps like my life depended on it…because my life did depend on it. They wouldn't understand that though,
"Yeah. It was very...exciting. But Forks is nice..." I said encouragingly.
"It gets old real fast. Trust me." Jessica said. "See how crazy everyone gets when we have a new girl? You're the most 'exciting' thing to happen here in months." She said, and I detected some hostility her voice.
"It's not all that bad Jessica!" Angela chimed in. She tried to remind Jessica of all the fun things they had done. My attention was drawn away from the conversation when I saw Alice enter the cafeteria with a group of other students. They walked across the floor very gracefully, and it seemed that other students parted for them. They sat at an empty table, Alice looked my way and smiled. The blonde boy she was sitting next to put his arm around her. There was one other girl with her, and two other boys. One boy with long, messy hair was glaring at Alice.
"Oh, looks like you caught sight of the Cullens. Beautiful aren't they?" Jessica said to me, now ignoring Angela. I hadn't noticed, but they all were exceptionally good looking. I looked down at my home brought lunch so I wasn't just staring at them.
"The Cullens? They're...related?" I asked.
"Well, kind of. Dr. Cullen and his wife adopted them all. The small one with the short hair, and the blonde boy, Alice and Jasper, they're kind of together. Same with Emmett and Rosalie, the boy with the short black hair and the blonde girl. It's weird. I'm not even sure it's legal-"
"They're not related Jess!" Angela cut in. "It's not like they're actual siblings."
"Whatever. It's weird. Dr. Cullen's like...their match maker." Jessica said to me. I did the math. Two girls, Three boys.
"What about the other one?" I asked.
"Oh. That's Edward Cullen. Apparently, he's too good to date anyone around here...not like I care..." I looked up again from my food to peer over at the family. Edward was still glaring at Alice, who seemed to be ignoring him. The other girl however, Rosalie, she wasn't talking with the rest of her family. She was glaring at me. She turned her glare away when I looked at her. I watched her whisper "the new girl is watching us" to her family; I had better vision than most people, hearing as well. Edward looked at her, his back facing me, and it was too noisy for me to hear what he said, even with slayer hearing, but Rosalie didn't look my way again.
"They all kind of keep to themselves. They never talk to anyone at school. They just...stay together." Jessica said.
"They're freaks." Mike cut in.
"Alice Cullen introduced herself to me earlier. I thought she was really nice." I said defensively. Alice had been nice, and not in the superficial way Jessica was. She had been very genuine. And, I even hoped she was right about us being friends.
"Alice Cullen talked to you? Haha, watch out, they might be trying to add you to their little cult." Eric laughed. I frowned. I had come across quite a few demon worshipping cults in my time. There was nothing funny about it. I pushed that though out of my mind. This was Forks. Not L.A. No more thinking about demons and vampires. Just...normal life. Normal friends. Normal.
Lunch ended, and it seemed that Mike had another class with me. Biology. I was starting to get worried that if I stayed with Mike and his friends too much, I wouldn't meet anyone else. But, lucky for me, the bench Mike was at was full. I gave the teacher my yellow slip, and he pointed me to my seat. I walked over, and realized I was sitting next to none other than Edward Cullen.
The teacher gave us all a worksheet, told us to work with a partner, and said not to use our books. I was almost worried, but the worksheet was familiar. I had done something similar back in L.A, and surprisingly remembered a lot of it.
"I think I know most of this, how about you?" I said to Edward. I noticed his worksheet was already filled out.
"Hello, I'm Edward. And...you're Veronica?" He said, not taking notice of my question.
"That would be me." I said, filling out my worksheet.
"You spelled mitosis wrong..." He said quickly. "So...What brings you to Forks? L.A. just wasn't cutting it for you anymore?" He asked as I erased and respelled 'mitosis'.
"L.A was too much for me. Forks is...safer, I guess."
"I wouldn't count on that." He said. I looked up at him, and he was staring out the window.
"What's that supposed to mean?" I asked. My worksheet was done, and the teacher walked by.
"Mr. Cullen. How about letting Ms. Yourn do her own work instead of just giving her the answers." He said. I was instantly offended.
"She did it by herself. We worked independently." Edward said in his fluid voice. The teacher checked over my page.
"Did you work on this at your old school?" He asked. I nodded.
"Just last month." I said. He nodded, and left. "I can't believe he thought I cheated." I said angrily.
"Just a misunderstanding." Edward said. There was a tap on my shoulder. I turned, and Mike was behind me. I saw he send a quick glare at Edward.
"Hey, I was wondering what you got on number 7?" He asked, smiling. I sighed. It seemed as if Mike would be harder to get rid of than I thought.
"Mr. Newton. This isn't group work. Any questions you have, you can ask your partner, or me. Leave Ms. Yourn alone." The teacher called from across the room. Mike shrugged at me and smiled. He gave Edward another stare as he turned to go back to his seat.
"Looks like you've got your own little puppy dog." Edward mocked when Mike was gone.
"Mike is...nice." I said a bit defensive. "But, yeah. He's a little hard to shake. It's only day one, and I've already got a stalker. Great." Edward smirked.
"The kids here are...easily amused." He said, and I couldn't help but take it as an insult. "However, Mike Newton is a little more than amused with you." He added.
"How do you know that? Locker room talk?" I asked sarcastically. Edward smirked again.
"Something like that.." He laughed a bit, but then became very serious.
"Everything all right?" I asked noticing his sudden change in mood. He wouldn't look up at me, he glared out the window again.
"Yeah...fine." He said, and that was all he said for the rest of class.
My last class was gym, then I was free to go home. I ducked out of the locker room, and made it to my car without being spotted by Mike or his crew. I drove home quickly, missing peace and quiet. Then, once I got home, I remembered how quiet it was.
"How was your day Veronica?" My grandmother asked the moment I was in the door. I walked into the living room where she was, and I laid down on the couch. "That bad? Were the kids mean?" She asked.
"No..they were freakishly nice. It really wasn't so bad." I confessed. Her cat jumped on top of me, and curled into a ball on my stomach.
"That's good. I'm sure you'll make friends right away here. It's not like the city. Everyone knows everyone here. We're real close." She explained, and I believed her.
I went upstairs and went right to the guest room. There were two bedrooms upstairs, the guest room where I used to stay, and my Grandmothers room. I wanted fresh air in my room, but Forks was much colder than L.A, and I couldn't bare to leave the window open too long.
I sat on my new bed, and flipped through my new text books. I looked at my list of homework, and actually started to do it. Surprisingly enough, it only took me an hour, and I was left with nothing to do for the rest of the night. This was a first for me. There wasn't anything to patrol about, no big bad that needed me to take care of it, no Watcher who wanted to train, no father telling me to clean up the apartment. Freedom was almost a little boring.
My first week of school went by nicely. Other than the fact that Edward Cullen would completely ignore me during the one class we had together. But, Alice was always happy to talk with me. She was sweet. Angela Jessica Eric and Mike were great too, all nice normal friends.
After a slow Monday night of TV and reading ahead in the textbooks and talking with my grandmother, I was thrilled for school in the morning. I woke up early, after going to bed at 9:00, and showered. I dried my hair, then pinned it back with a silver clip. I put on a maroon tank top, and a dark grey cardigan, and my dark blue skinny jeans, then slipped on my black converse, which were getting very worn in. The side seam had come apart, and the soles were almost flat. I picked up my navy blue messenger bag, and headed out the door.
I parked my car at school, and slipped out. The sky was dark, just like every day. This was not the weather I was used to.
"Nice car, V!" I heard Mike Newton's voice.
"Thanks." I smirked. He was already making me nicknames. How...cute? Mike walked next to me as I made my way towards the school. I saw Alice standing by a car, she was facing Edward. She looked up just as I was passing.
"Hi Veronica!" She said cheerfully. I waved.
"Hey Alice..Hi Edward." I said. He didn't look up, as usual.
"Good Morning." He said coldly. I squinted at him in confusion. What a warm welcome, I thought sarcastically. I turned back to Mike.
"See, told you those Cullens were freaks." Mike laughed. I frowned.
"Dont say that." I scolded him.
"Veronica!" Alice said happily when she entered our Math class. I had left Mike at his locker, and entered the class alone. "How was your night?" She asked.
"Oh...just a normal Monday..." I sighed. "How about yours?" She smiled wide.
"Just great. We had a little family outing at home...How did you do with the homework?" She asked, suddenly changing the subject.
"It wasn't too bad...Hey, Alice, is your brother angry with me or something? Did I offend him somehow?" I asked. I thought Edward and I had gotten along fine the first day of class, but his mood had changed suddenly after that. Alice laughed at my question.
"Oh, don't worry about him. Ignore him, really...So what do you do for fun Veronica?" Alice asked, very interested. She asked me all these questions about myself every day, but today I thought for a while, but was hard pressed for an answer.
"I...well...I usually...work out a lot, I guess?" It was true. I was constantly in training mode. To kill time after school I did about a hundred push ups.
"That's not fun silly!" Alice giggled. "Like...what do you do when you're home? What are your hobbies? What do you like?" She asked, intrigued.
"I...well..." I stopped to think. "Honestly Alice? I really don't have any hobbies. I never had any free time in L.A...all work and no play I guess..." I frowned, thinking how pathetic it sounded.
"Aw...well that's no fun. You and I will have to hang out and have some real fun, Veronica. I'm sure you'll have plenty of free time now." She said happily. I wondered what she meant by that, but I was quickly distracted by the teacher who was starting class.
I was noticeably distracted throughout the day. I kept wondering what I had said to Edward to make him so angry. I didn't think I'd said anything offensive, mean, or even a little bitchy. During lunch, I watched the Cullens take the same seat as yesterday, and I couldn't help but feel like Edward was trying his hardest not to look anywhere near me.
"Hello? Earth to Veronica?" Mike waved his hand in front of my face.
"Huh?" I looked up at him.
"So, do you want to come tomorrow, space cadet?" He asked with that boyish smile of his.
"Come where?" I asked. He rolled his eyes laughing.
"Tomorrow's a half day, we're all heading up to La Push, you want to come?" Mike asked, eyes wide and hopeful.
"What's La Push?" I asked.
"Man, did you tune out everything I said?" He laughed. "La Push, it's a close by beach we frequent. We're going to take in some waves."
"But...its so cold!" I said, confused.
"Well, it's not as warm as L.A, but with wet suits, it's really not that bad." Jessica said proudly.
"If you're not down for the surf part, you can watch with me. They're all crazy. I just like to admire the total insanity." Angela chimed in. I laughed. A normal day hanging out with my almost friends at the beach? Just what the doctor ordered.
"Yeah. Sounds fun. Sorry I was so spacey Mike...My mind was a little...off track I guess." I said a little bitter. What did it matter if Edward Cullen was annoyed with me? Alice was still nice, and it seemed like I had a secure little group of friends. Lunch finished, and I was off to awkwardly sit next to Edward for 90 minutes.
When I got to class, I didn't make eye contact with Edward. I just sat at my seat, let my bag drop, and looked forward.
"Well, looks like you guys really know your stuff. Just about everyone flunked the quiz sheet yesterday. I was going to just count it, but I think I'll just let you all redo it, and hope for a passing grade this time." Mr. Molina said, holding the stack of quizzes. He passed one out to everyone in class, except Edward and I. "You both did exceptionally well, and I'm sure you both know that. You're reward is a free period. But please, don't share answers." Mr. Molina said, sighing, and walking back to his desk.
"Lucky us." Edward said, I could hear that smirk in his voice.. I looked over to him, glared really. "Is something wrong?" He asked.
"So, you're going to talk to me now?" I asked. He frowned a bit.
"I'm sorry about this morning..."
"You've been acting like this all week. One day you're nice and friendly, then next week you're all broody and quite. Is that a normal pattern in your personality?" I asked, a little harsh. He shrugged.
"Yeah, actually...it kind of is. Jessica didn't fill you in on my every mannerism already?" He said with a bit of a sneer.
"What is that supposed to mean?" I asked.
"Nothing...Sorry, that was out of line. She was...interested in me a while ago. She still seems a little...bitter." Bitter would be an understatement, I thought, and he coughed a little laugh. I hoped I hadn't said that out loud. "You're not angry with me, are you?" He asked. I wasn't angry, just confused. Why was he nice again? Would he just blow me off tomorrow?
"No. I'm not angry. Just...make up your mind." I said. His face dropped a bit. "What?" I asked.
"Nothing..." He murmered.
"See...there you go again."
"No...its just...sorry. I'll stop being so strange." I was starting to wonder if he could stop being strange.
"Ms. Yourn?" I looked up, Mr. Molina was looking at me.
"Yeah?"
"The office just called...they want to see you right now. Someone's here to see you."
"Oh-kay" I said, my stomach turned. SHIT! Shit shit shit. It has to be Harvey. He found me, and he's going to drag me back to L.A. I wont go. I'll fight him if I have to...No, I'll run. I'll go somewhere they cant find me...Shit. My mind was in turmoil.
"You alright?" Edward asked as I stood up. I knew my face looked grim.
"Just peachy." I said, picking up my bag, and walking to my doom.
I walked down towards the office. I turned the corner, and I froze.
"Of course he sent you. He could never drag me back himself." I said, I could feel all the color drain from my face, my shoulders sunk, my dreams crushed. I looked to the front door and wondered how hard it would be to escape.
"Don't make a run for it." Jenny Carson said. "You know I can catch you anyways. And Harvey didn't send me."
"How'd you know I was here?" I asked.
"I saw the letter from your grandma, read the address. I knew you'd take her up on the offer." I frowned, ashamed.
"So, do you hate me?" I asked.
"No. You've been doing this since you were 14. I think I'm the only one who really understands. I actually came here to give you this. You left it in L.A, but I think you should hang on to it." She stepped to one side, and behind her was my weapons trunk. My eyes went wide.
"Jenny! You brought that in here?" I asked frantically. It was fully of any weapon you could ever think of, guns aside. She laughed.
"Don't worry, no one will check. You left a lot behind at your house that I thought I should bring you, so everything's pretty..covered up. And, there's this too." She handed me a folded piece of paper, which I recognized as Harvey's handwriting. I tucked it into my back pocket tenderly.
"Thank you Jenny. And, I'm sorry I bailed." I said, stepping forward and giving her a small hug.
"It's alright. I'm excited to do things on my own now. Have a nice life, Veronica." She said, and she walked out of the building. I looked at the trunk, no way I could bring this back to class. I went into the office and told them I would bring it to my car and come right back.
I pushed it off of it's side and back down horizontally. I was about to pick it up, when someone else lifted it.
"That looks heavy." I looked up and Edward had picked up the trunk. I was surprised, it was a little heavy even for me. "Let me carry it for you."
"Oh...you don't have to, I have to bring it to my car..." I watched him carry it with ease.
"It's fine. Mr. Molina let me out of class." He smirked. "Was that girl an old friend of yours?" He asked.
"Something like that...hey, were you spying on me?" I asked, looking up at him with a frown. He smirked.
"Not spying...just, watching out for you. You looked really...upset when you left. I wanted to make sure everything was alright."
"Oh, well...thanks." Dont worry, buddy. I can take care of myself, I thought a little bitter. She tried not to get angry with him, he had no idea who she was, or that she wasn't the little girl who needed help carrying her heavy luggage.
"I'm sure Mike would have been down here in a heartbeat...but he has a worksheet to re-fail." Edward said as we walked out of the school, and towards the parking lot. I laughed. I pulled my keys out of my bag and popped the trunk.
"Nice car." Edward admired.
"It gets me where I need to go." In half the time it should take, I added. He smirked. We lifted the box into my trunk.
"So, are you going to La Push with your little friends?" He asked as I closed my trunk. I leaned against the bumper of the Miata.
"How'd you hear about that?" I asked, smirking. He laughed, looking down at his feet.
"I swear, I'm not spying. I just hear things..."
"Well, yeah. I think I'm going to go. Why don't you come with us?" I offered. His face was amused.
"I wasn't invited."
"I just invited you." I quipped. He tilted his head.
"I...I'm not a fan of La Push." I moved off of the car, walking towards the building. I didn't mind if he didn't want to go. Didn't matter to me.. "Maybe...you and I could...hang out together. Away from La Push...and Mike Newton." He added with a little malice. I smirked.
"Yeah. Maybe." I said, pushing open the door of the school. It seemed like the bell had rung, and everyone was walking around the halls. We walked in together, just as Edward's sister and brother, Rosalie and Emmett walked by.
I had never thought a person could deliver so much hate in one stare, but Rosalie did it well. I almost took a step back when she walked by me, giving me a look of disgust. When they were no longer in front of me, I looked up at Edward.
"I...what was that?" I asked.
"I'm sorry...please ignore Rosalie." Edward looked up, as if someone had just called him. "I...I have to go talk to Alice. I just remembered. Sorry." He said and left with out a goodbye
"Yeah, that's fine. Oh, yeah I'll talk to you later, bye." I said to myself, he was already gone. I made my way down to the gym.
Gym class was always awkward and uncomfortable for me. I had to hold back most of the time, and that wasn't fun. Usually I didn't participate at all, it was safer for everyone else.
Today, we were playing volleyball. The teacher divided our teams up, I was standing with Jessica and Mike while teams were made.
"I loooove volleyball!" Jessica gushed. "I'm on the school team, you know Veronica." She said proudly. "Do you do any sports?" She asked. Nothing major, I'm a professional slayer, but, no medals...
"No, I've never played a real team sport before." I shrugged.
"Oh, I love them. Its great to be out there, the whole school cheering you on...right Mike? Mike does football, and baseball." It was like she was bragging for him, which I didn't even know what possible.
"It's alright." He said, playing it cool. Jessica wasn't happy about that.
"Stanly! On the other side. Newton! This side." The teacher barked towards Jess and Mike, she sent another kid to Jessica's side, and I stayed with Mike. "New girl, this side too." She said pointing at me.
We took our places on the court.
"Don't worry, Ill take spikes for yah." Mike said with a wink. I smirked. He was a little cute, in a novel way. Mike and I were placed up front, I was right across from Jessica.
The ball went up, and with my luck, came right to me. With a little confidence, I tapped it, and it went right to Jessica, who hit it back with all she had in Mike's direction, and ended up scoring a point.
"Nice one Jess." Mike said, I looked over to congratulate her, until I saw her staring at me with a smug smile. My eyes slanted, and I pursed my lips. The ball went up again, and to me. This time, I hit it with a little more strength towards Jessica, she dove and saved it. It went back me, and I hit it again. Just as she got up, it came to her, and she jumped and spiked it. I slid off the court and saved it, aiming towards Mike who ended up hitting it behind our team. He ran to retrieve it, and Jessica and I made eye contact. She glared at me.
"Nice try." She said, and I decided I hated sports. She was trying to show off to impress Mike? Fine. But don't try to make me look like an idiot in the process.
"It's just a game Jess." I told her threw the net. She rolled her eyes.
"No, it's my game." The way she said 'my' implied that she was feeling possessive over more than just the game. Mike showed up a second after, really pushing Jessica's point.
Mike sent it over the net, Jessica jumped up again, spiking down. I jumped out of the way, the ball barely missing my head. She let a grin escape.
The ball went back to their side, and their setter put the ball up, and Jessica hit it over, but I jumped and spiked it down. It hit her head, and she fell to the floor.
"Shit." I mumbled as I landed. I ducked under the net. "Jess...I'm really sorry."
"It's fine! Im fine...Beginners luck." She said to me. Everyone had crowded around her.
"Alright, Alright, everyone go play!" The gym teacher pushed through the crowds. "Stanley, go get an icepack."
"I'm fine, she didn't hit it that hard." Jessica said, crossing her arms.
"Are you kidding me? You'll have a bruise the size of Texas if you don't put ice on that Now." The teacher argued. Jessica stomped off. "New girl, you play volleyball?" She asked me.
"No...I don't play sports-"
"You should. You ever want to be on the team, just ask. I'm the coach." She said, with a wink, then moved off the courts.
"Nice spike!" Mike said, holding up his hand. I gave him a weak high five.
"Oh, yeah. It was super." I rolled my eyes, then looked over at Jessica who was sitting on the bleachers holding an icepack to her eye. I hope she doesn't have a concussion..." I said, worried.
"She'll be fine." Mike laughed.
When I got home, my grandmother was thrilled to hear I was going to the beach with friends tomorrow.
"I knew you'd fit right in here. I always knew it." She said happily. I went upstairs and did all of my homework, only stopping when Grandma called me down. She had made stew for dinner. I hadn't had home cooked meals in L.A, so all of this real food was new for me, and I loved it.
When dinner was done, I went back upstairs, and jumped a little when my phone rang. I looked down and it was Angela, thankfully.
"Hello?" I answered.
"Hey Veronica...So Jessica just called me to tell me Tyler's vans full, and she said since you were the last one invited-" I let out a sharp laugh.
"She tell you about gym?" I asked. Angela chuckled a little.
"That must have been hysterical! She's junior captain of the volleyball team!" Angela said, trying not to laugh too hard at her friend's expense.
"I did feel bad...but not for long. So...do you wanna ride up with me tomorrow?" I offered.
"Yeah! that would be great!" She said happily.
"Awesome. I'll see yah tomorrow Ange." I said, and hung up. I used my free time to take a nice long shower.
When I was finished, I looked in the mirror, and noticed my hair had gotten a little long, almost past my shoulders. I fished around in the drawers, and found some hair shears. I snipped away at my bangs first, I cut them straight across for a change. I was about the chop off some of the length, but then I stopped. Short hair had been a style choice for slaying. It was easier to slay without long hair getting in the way. But now...i didn't really have to worry about it. I put down the scissors and smiled. I decided then to grow my hair out.
Before I went to school in the morning, I packed a cooler full of drinks, and I made a few sandwiches for everyone. Grandma had some cookie dough in the fridge and had suggested I bake it for my friends. She was happy to help with anything that made me more friends. And that's why I loved my grandmother. She was affectionate, which I wasn't used to from a female figure. And she was younger, 70s, but young for a grandmother. She tried to stay as hip as possible, which was funny, but endearing.
"Now, be careful at that beach. Its on a reservation, and I'm sure there's all types of wild animals up there." She warned, and I laughed.
"Don't worry Grams. You know I'm always careful. I can take care of myself." I said proudly. She frowned and gave me a hug.
"I know. I just wish you didn't." She said sadly. "Well. Tonight's casino night down at the church. Weekly social gathering for us old bags. I wont be too late. Anything you want at the super marker?" She asked.
"Apples? The green ones? That'd be great." I asked, and she smiled.
"Healthy girl. That's what I like to hear."
I left the cooler and sandwiches home, I'd pick them up after school so they weren't sitting in my car.
Alice came in quickly to Math class and dropped into her seat, gracefully.
"What are you doing today for the half day?" She asked curiously.
"Going to La Push with Mike and them-"
"Are you surfing?" She asked quickly.
"Oh no...no no no. I stay away from freezing water..."
"So...what are you going up there to do?" She asked.
"Um..hang out I guess?..Alice, do you want to come?" I asked, hopeful she'd say yes. I thought everyone should know the Cullens weren't that bad.
"What?" She asked, a little confused like it hadn't occurred to her. "La Push...I...don't go to La Push." She said shaking her head with a little smirk, as if there was some inside joke. Edward had said the same thing. "I was just...curious." She said, then she smiled a bit devilishly. "Wait till you see Jessica Stanley." I bit my lip, nervous.
"Is it bad? Tell me its not too bad..." I begged. Alice glanced over at the door, just as Jessica walked in. Jessica had never worn her hair in her face. I was sure I knew the reason why.
"Your hair looks nice." Alice chimed in.
"Thanks..I did it last night.." i said, trying to watch Jessica. If that hair moved out of place, I wanted to see the mark I had left.
"Did it yourself? I'm impressed." Alice said. I shrugged.
"Paying for haircuts is over rated." I laughed.
"Veronica!" Mike came in and walked back to me. "Hey...Angela said you two were going to drive up together. I'm sure we could fit you in our van though. I think Jessica's just a little.."
"It's fine Mike. I'll give Jess her space. I packed a cooler for the beach though, sandwiches, drinks, cookies.."
"You are an angel! No one ever makes food, so we always leave early. We can stay till it's dark, make a fire or something..."
"That sounds a little dangerous." Alice chirped. Mike looked over at her, as if he didn't think she was capable of speaking.
"We'll...be careful?" He drew his face back to me. "Sorry you cant ride with us V.. Have you seen Jessica's forehead yet?" He asked in a whisper. I shook my head no. "The wind blew her hair out of her face and I caught a glimpse...it's rough." He said, smirking.
"Maybe you should have been saving her from the spikes..." I said, frowning, but Mike just laughed. Always so carefree.
"Newton. Sit down please." The teacher said, and Mike obeyed.
"That boy wants to date you." Alice whispered, her eyebrows knit together with a smile. I shrugged.
"Could be worse. Could be...that guy." I whispered, and glanced over at the kid across from us, greasy hair, grimy clothes, and he was currently picking something out of the caverns of his ears. Alice scrunched up her nose and laughed.
"You're right. Could be worse." She giggled.
I went from Math, to English, then that was it. We had extended class. Four hours of two class. It was pretty much torture.
I met Angela after class, and we went to my car.
"Um, this is adorable!" She gushed. I smiled.
"Thank-yah. Hop in." I said. She got in and buckled up. She was going to run with my house with me, while everyone waited for us
"Does everyone in L.A, drive like that?" She asked when we pulled into my driveway.
"Sorry...I tried to slow down..." I said, embarrassed. She laughed.
"It was...kinda cool." She said. I laughed and we got out of the car. We started walking into my house; I could hear the roar of an engine coming up quick. a moment later, Angela could hear it too. She looked back, concerned.
"Come on.." I said, going a little quicker. Then, the noise was close. I heard the squeal of tires, and I threw my keys at Angela. "Head on inside okay?" I said, giving her a light push.
"What's going on?" She asked. I saw a silver car had pulled up to the house. I recognized it, and calmed down.
"It's...nothing. Head on in...I'll be right there." She did as I asked.
Edward Cullen got out of the car. He didn't look happy.
"Decide to forgo the cool act and come with?" I asked, doubtfully.
"You shouldn't go." He said. He wouldn't look right at me.
"Excuse me?" I asked, crossing my arms.
"I just...have a bad feeling about this. Please." I was beyond annoyed.
"Wow. Okay, dad. You're right. Im going to go hide upstairs now so I don't have to be possibly confronted with something...'exciting;." I said sarcastically. He sighed gruffly.
"Listen to me. You don't know what's in La Push..."
"You're right. I don't. Maybe you should tell me if you know." I asked. He just scowled.
"Alice feels the same way, you know." He said, almost whined, changing the subject. I considered her odd behavior earlier about the subject.
"Whatever it is, I can handle it. Trust me Edward. I may not look like it but I...I can take care of myself." This didn't make him happy.
"Fine just...get yourself killed for all I care." He muttered, not knowing I could hear him. He took off towards his car.
"Killed? What are you talking about?" He was at the driver side door, I went to the passengers side, and stared him down across the hood.
"La Push isn't safe." He said seriously.
"Edward, I came from L.A! I know unsafe." He shook his head.
"I...You're right. You can probably handle yourself, and I'm just underestimating you...I just-" He paused. "Just, be careful." He said, giving up, and getting into his car.
"Well...thanks." I mumbled. Why did he care so much? And why was La Push so dangerous? What did he know that I didn't?
Angela and I had watched all day as our friends surfed, and when they came back in, we were more than pleased. The sun had just started setting, Angela and I had collected sticks and dry wood for a fire.
"Jessica, you have the lighter, right?" I asked her, she had toweled off her hair, and instinctively flipped it back. That's when the bruise was revealed. It was splotchy, and softball sized right on the left side of her forehead. I gaped for a moment, and she scrambled to hide it with her hair, then she glared at me. I looked away, and she gave me the lighter. When she wasn't looking, I choked a laugh out. It was still a little funny.
The half moon was only visible in pieces due to the clouds, so the fire really lit the place up. And the warmth was great as well. I grabbed the cooler.
"Okay, there's like, three of anything, and they're all labeled. And one you take a bite eat it! Don't waste my food I slaved over." I ordered, with a laugh.
"This is primo!" Mike said, biting into a ham and cheese.
I sat down on one of the logs we had dragged over. Mike jumped right down with me.
"Good waves?" I asked. Mike shrugged.
"Pretty good. I like surfing when it's warmer out. Hey, you look cold, blanket?" He offered the one around his shoulder, but he offered it to share.
"Oh, I'm fine. Thanks...cookie?" I countered, holding up the plastic bag full of chocolate chip cookies. He smiled, and took three.
"No fires on the beach!" Everyone jumped, and looked. Three tall, dark boys with long brown hair were standing behind the other side of the circle.
"Uh...We're sorry." Mike stumbled. One of them laughed.
"We're kidding. What's up?" One of them asked. "Where you guys from?"
"Hey. We're from Forks. You guys wanna join us? We brought sandwiches, help yourself." I offered. The guys sat at the available seats. One sat on the other side of me.
"Picnic dinner, nice." The one next to me said, grabbing a sandwich. "I'm Jacob." He stuck out his hand.
"I'm Veronica." I said, shaking his hand. "This is Mike, that's Angela, Jessica, Eric, Tyler."
"That's Embry and Sam" They waved, each had a sandwich. I was glad I packed more than enough food. "So, what brings you out to the Res?" Jacob asked.
"We surfed." Mike cut in, squaring off his shoulders.
"You're crazy. You know how cold it is?" Jacob asked, and I laughed.
"We had suits. It wasn't so bad." Jessica cut in. "Right Mike?"
"Yeah. It's a good time for waves."
"Wouldn't catch me out there." Jacob said.
"I second that. Weather must be at least above 70." I said, smiling.
"So, do you come up here a lot? I don't think I've seen you around..." Jacob asked.
"Veronica just moved her. She's our newest member." Mike said. I turned around to him, smirking with a raised eyebrow.
"Thanks Mike." I turned back to Jacob. "I just came up from L.A."
"L.A.? No wonder you hate the cold!" Jacob laughed.
"I'm...adjusting." I shrugged.
"Jacob." Sam called him. "Your father just called me. We gotta head back," he said solemnly. Jacob nodded.
"Well, if you ever want a tour of La Push, look me up. Jacob Black, not so hard to find." He said with a smile.
"Will do." I waved as he go up and left.
"Thanks for the food!" Embry said happily over his shoulder.
"Well. That was weird." Jessica said. "They never come over to us..."
"Jacob wanted to give you a little tour, huh Veronica?" Angela giggled.
"He'll show you alllll around!" Tyler howled in laughter, and Angela joined in.
"Alright guys, calm down." Mike cut in, frowning.
"Its alright Mike, I can take a little teasing." I laughed. He was jealous. It was a little sweet. "I wonder why they had to leave though..."
It was then that the cellphones started ringing. Parents started to call, begging everyone to come home. No one would say why, some kind of accident. But parents didn't call because of just any accident. I was suspicious.
"Something must of happened...Take Angela home with you, you guys all have to get cars right? And...stay together." I told Mike. I wondered if the panic from the parents in Forks was the same thing that had pulled Jacob, Embry and Sam away.
"What about you?" Mike asked.
"I'm gonna drive home...I brought my car." Mike nodded, and we all separated after the fire was completely out.