Chapter One: Graduation
(BPOV)
I'm sitting here, in this scratchy blue robe, in front of everyone because I'm valedvictorian, woopie. I mean, seriously? I'm not even that smart.
I can see Angela from here. She's looking back at me, because we both are hoping I don't puke all over Mr. Banner, who's presenting awards. That'll be embarrassing.
But the other look in her eyes is making me shrink back, and I know why the look is there.
*Two Weeks Previous*
"Angela, I feel so lame. It's Friday night, why are we sitting inside at my house? We should be out partying!" I play this every week. We both know we're not party material, but it doesn't stop me from trying. And tonight I'm really trying, graduations just around the corner, and we have no life. Most of the people, when they notice us, think that we're lesbians. But, really, it's not really like that. Angela and I grew up together in Forks, Washington. We grew up with all the people here, but we just never 'bloomed' I guess.
Angela says something I didn't expect, "Okay, lets go then." She started getting up.
"What?" I say, surprised. "No, what if Edward's there! I don't have anything to wear."
"Ah-ha, Isabella," uh oh, she used my full name, "you and Edward Cullen. Why haven't you said anything to him, at all? Graduations almost here, and face it, whenever we leave we'll probably never see Edward again. Are you planning on telling him?"
"Well.. No. He wouldn't like me Ang," I sighed, "Don't you get it?" I knew she knew this speech by heart, but really I just don't compare to Tanya. She's gorgeous.
Strawberry, blonde hair. Legs that run forever. And god, her boobs. Mine look like ant hills next to hers, I would know. The showers in the schools have done nothing but hurt my non-existing ego. Usually, I'm at least okay with my looks, but standing naked beside the head cheerleader, I'm bound to notice how my curves are a little 'too' curvy, if you get what I mean.. ugh.
"Yes, I do get it and Bella, I'm sympathetic." She rolls her eyes, " But I can't be for very much longer, because if you don't try to get him to notice you, or even attempt to talk to him to tell him how you feel, how in the hell is he supposed to know you exist?"
I didn't respond.
"OH!" Angela bursts out, scaring me.
"What?!" I almost scream.
"Bella, you have the perfect opportunity to tell him! Use your speech as a way to do it." Angela explains.
"No way, theres no way I'm doing that." I panic, "I'll puke."
*Back to the present*
And, believe it or not, right now I'm thinking about doing it. I mean, what do I have to loose? The worst thing I could get is rejection.. but then Summer's coming,
so I wouldn't have to deal with seeing him everyday, or the teasing.. Why the hell not?
"And now, a speech from our Valedvictorian, Bella Swan." Mr. Banner says, trying to gain excitement from the crowd, and the graduates. It didn't work.
"Thank you Mr. Banner." Oh GOD, I'm such an idiot, I don't know what the fuck I'm doing, really? SAY SOMETHING. "Uh-uh, Hello Everyone. Being a student here at Forks High School, has been a pleasure." As I read the rest of my speech, I fidgited nervously, and as my closing got closer, I quickly decided I was going to do this,
right now. "Looking back at others in Forks High School, I realized that it seems like they all did what they wanted. What they may or may not regret, and I've yet to say what I've always meant to say," I paused looking around, first I saw Angela smiling, because she knows what I'm going to do. Then my parents, Renee and Charlie whose eyes are 'round as saucers, and then Edward who's staring at me. But, I shake that off because everyone's staring at me, and I say the one thing I've always wanted, but been too scared to say, "I love you, Edward Cullen." Tanya looks at me with daggers, but I'm to busy trying to assess Edward Cullens features to mind her. And my face falls as I realize the look on his face, disbelief and disgust. I cough quickly, say the famous "We're graduates, 2009. Have a great summer." And run off the stage.
Mr. Banner claps, and everyone else claps softly, but the damage has been done. I'm such an idiot.
