It was the first day of school for me, which meant there was no chance to escape. No time, no way. Maybe if I hadn't had come here in the first place, I wouldn't have to dread school so much. I missed home, and that's what was holding me back. Home.
This was not home. Forks, Washington was small and chilly, and that was the exact opposite of where I came from. Arizona. I had lived happily there, in till recently, when my mom's new husband had gotten kicked off the Baseball Team he played for. They decided to move to some far off place and find him a new team. I was not ready to move into an environment that was totally new. That's why I came here. Charlie lived here.
Ever since my mom and Charlie had separated, I visited Charlie during the summer, usually fishing and taking nature hikes with him—even though those weren't my favorite things to do. I hated it, even back then. I can see why.
As I wiggled free from my snake-like covers, I glanced out the window, and to the rising sun. Perhaps it would be warm today.
Tugging on my pants, my mind went crazy on the idea of college. Almost all of the inhabitance of Forks had grown up together. ("New comers were welcomed with open arms" is how Charlie had put it.)
I rolled my eyes at that. As if.
Charlie was getting ready to leave as I trudged down stairs, new boots in hand and stomach rumbling.
"Hey Bells, need a ride?"
I tossed him a look that hid my disgust. "Uh, no thanks, I haven't even eaten breakfast yet." I liked my excuse. Not only did it make total sense, but it was enough to Chief Swan.
"Oh, well, have a good day, kiddo. Hope you enjoy college classes," he said with a wink.
"Yeah, Thanks dad."
With that, he fixed his belt and trotted out to this police cruiser. I was finally alone to devour my pop-tarts in peace.
Right as I was taking my strawberry pop-tarts out of the toaster, the door bell rang. I groaned as I dropped them on a plate and went for the door. Perfect timing.
I undid the lock that Charlie insisted stayed in place for most of the day, and swung open the door, letting the morning chill wash over me. But even that didn't stop me from dropping my jaw in surprise.
Standing before me was the single most gorgeous boy I had ever laid eyes on.
He was dressed in a snug brown sweater that went nicely with his topaz eyes. His lashes were long, but far from girly. Ruffled bronze hair covered most of his forehead, and was even sticking up in some places. His skin looked smooth, but pale like fresh snow. In fact, if I had been a snow-lady, I would have melted at the sight of him. He was God like.
"Hey, I'm Edward—your paperboy. I heard that you were new, Is—"
I corrected him before he could make the mistake.
"Bella. Just Bella. And thanks a lot for introducing yourself… Edward." His name tingled on my tongue as he flashed an award-winning smile.
"No problem, Bella," his velvet voice cooed back. "The pleasure is all mine. You can call me Eddie, if you want. It seems like all girls do now-a-days."
I shook my head slightly, then blinked in confusion as he handed me the newspaper. I snapped back into reality, taking it with a half smile.
"Thanks," I said sweetly as I watched him head back to his bike.
Edward smiled once more, then hastily rode off to the next block. He was probably late for delivering.
Only than did I check my own watch. I still had five minutes to scarf down my cold pop-tarts before heading out.
I sat at the table and pondered while I munched on my meal. Edward was still a mere paperboy? At his age? He had to be at least 18 years old, which was exceptionally great news for me. He was only a year younger—at the most. Not too bad, not too bad at all.
I washed my plate and shoved on my boots. Maybe I was wrong. Today could be rather enjoyable, considering the sunshine and the happy new… person… I had just met.
I drove to school much more confident than I had ever been. Finding the place wasn't hard, taking in the fact that Forks was small in size and population.
I parked in a place I knew I would be able to find my monster of a truck. Even if it was the oldest and ugliest one in the lot, I still loved the thing. I'm glad I had gotten it cheap.
A couple minutes early, I stepped into a small room in which my first lesson would begin. It looked no different than a middle school art room; but this place wasn't built to impress. Only to teach, unlike half the other popular or intimidating colleges. These were built for both showing off, and to teach.
I assumed the chairs set up by the easels were, of course, for us students. I organized my art supplies and sat, patiently waiting for anything.
Well, almost anything.
Another student waltzed in, carrying their supplies gently and carefully. She was also small and bouncy, almost like she had ADHD, but it didn't match her appearance. She had jet black hair that was cut with a razor, no doubt—pixie style. She wore expensive designer gothic clothes that clung to her body.
Her red lips stretched into a nice smile as she set up near me, her boots thudding against the tile floor.
"You're Miss. Swan, the new girl here in Forks, am I correct?" the pixie girl asked politely as she eyed me (not in the creepy, "OH MY GOD, STALKER!" way, either.)
"Yeah, call me Bella."
"Call me Alice," she squealed back in delight. Call it a hunch, but Alice didn't seem like she got to make friend everyday—and it looks like she rather enjoyed it.
I smiled hopefully, trying to give her a sign that I didn't think she was creepy, or that I held anything she had already done against her. "Okay, Alice. So, is this your first season of art school?"
She seemed to take a second to run the question over in her mind. I didn't even want to think why, considering the fact that it was a simple yes or no question.
"You could say so, yes. I've actually been traveling to different colleges and working my way up to a masters' degree in art. I'm really excited. This is my last year!"
Just as Alice finished, more students filed into the classroom, taking their seats and glancing towards me like I wasn't expected. Which was not true given the talk with Alice. My mind suddenly flashed back to Edward earlier. Same with him. He knew who I was, and even knew my real full name. Good thing I had corrected him just in time.
The teacher strode in, hair in perfect ringlet curls that hung an inch below her shoulders. She looked no older than 25, and was in perfect shape. Her skin was pale, but her cheeks were rosy—which made her smile even more friendly. She set her things down on the desk in the far corner, never taking her eyes off the students.
"How was everyone's summer?" she asked. Probably she knew half the people attending her class from previous years or because of the—once again—small size of Forks.
"Good, Mrs. Cullen," everyone chimed back.
"How grand! Now, let us get started. This month is a very important month in this class. It's Anatomical month! That means, human figure drawing. We have a model coming in shortly to pose for us. Be ready in five."
My eyebrows knitted together in confusion. Actual models? There was no way we'd be able to sketch someone's body without seeing them naked… Oh, God.
I swallowed hard, trying to calm myself. Maybe it would be a girl today. Perhaps it would be a girl everyday—although that was way too much to wish for. Alice must have seen my embarrassment and nervousness, because she got a worried expression on her face.
"Bella, you alright? You look a bit green," she stated softly, nudging me gently. "Maybe you should go to the bathroom."
"No, no, I'm fine. Really, I am." Actually, I was not alright. I had never seen a nude boy besides Mike at my old school, and he only used me for sloppy seconds. I wanted to curl up into a ball and disappear. I was afraid of my reaction to a different naked boy. What if I blush, or, you know… Like it?
I shook myself from my silly thoughts and tried to prepare myself for the situation at hand.
"Don't worry, Bella. First timers always make it out virgins," she joked and gave me a witty smile.
I nodded. I think that's the only thing I could still do.
The door creaked open and time seemed to dramatically slow down. I gulped and conjured up all my remaining courage. I had to be brave. If I wanted to get a good grade in this class, I had to draw someone without a single article of clothing. I had to, my degree depended on it.
I peeked out of my brown bangs, trying to act casual as I held my breath.
My eyes went wide with horror—or was it just utter surprise?
"Edward?" I breathed out best I could. Even at a whisper, he could hear me clearly. His head snapped in my direction as he searched through his memory. (That only took a fraction of a second.)
"Oh, God… Bella? You're in this class? I thought—I mean, I had no idea! I—"
Mrs. Cullen cut him off quickly. "Edward, son, what seems to be the matter? You're modeling today, are you not?"
I stared down at my feet as my cheeks burned red and hot. How was I going to make it through this torture?
"Yes, Esme, I am," his velvet voice sounded like he was a shy little boy, meeting his kindergarten teacher for the first time. But he wasn't built like a kindergarten boy, that's for sure.
He peeled of his shirt and chucked it to the corner of the room, his pale chest almost shinning in the light. I must say, I have never seen anyone so well built—so, excuse the word, sexy. I had never even thought a male could be so…
There aren't words for it. But I knew I wanted him. (Not in just the sexual way, but that would be good, too.)
I blushed and stared at my blank canvas as he dropped his pants and posed. I couldn't bear to look… But I did anyways.
I could see the embarrassment glued to his face as his body modeled for us, showing us perfection in the flesh—literally. I had to breathe through my mouth to keep myself from running from the room, or worse, possibly running to him and tackling him to the floor. I had a job to do here, and no male model should ever distract me.
