I sat at the table with Jessica and her friends longer than I would have if I'd been sitting alone. I was anxious not to be late for class on my first day. One of my new acquaintances, who considerately reminded me that her name was Angela, had Biology II with me the next hour. We walked to class together in silence. She was shy too.
When we entered the classroom, Angela went to sit at a black-topped lab table exactly like the ones I was used to. She already had a neighbor. In fact, all the tables were filled but one. Next to the center aisle, I recognized Edward Cullen by his unusual hair, sitting next to that single open seat.
As I walked down the aisle to introduce myself to the teacher and get my slip signed, I was watching him surreptitiously. Just as I passed, he suddenly went rigid in his seat. He stared at me again, meeting my eyes with the strangest expression on his face—it was hostile, furious. I looked away quickly, shocked, going red again. I stumbled over a book in the walkway and had to catch myself on the edge of a table. The girl sitting there giggled.
I'd noticed that his eyes were black—coal black.
As Mr. Banner was signing my slip, Edward suddenly rose from his seat, with such speed that I hardly saw him move. His black eyes were fixed on me, no longer furious, but rather expectant—hungry. The teacher turned wide-eyed and backed away as Edward leapt forward and pulled me against him with rock-strong arms. He was unnaturally strong, how did he do that? The girl who had giggled screamed, and I heard a few more shocked cries before Edward bit deep into the soft flesh at the side of my neck. Everyone was screaming now, and the room was quickly fading. I felt lightheaded. I felt pain, and then…nothing.