Stephenie Meyer owns all. Special thanks to my beta justme317. Without her, this would not be possible.
I lay back memorizing the clouds. It was a surprisingly warm day. I inhaled and exhaled the intoxicating scent. Sunny days always brought out the good smells of any environment. I could smell the trees, the flowers, everything. I felt free. My mind wasn't plagued by responsibilities or homework. I was just me. Just Bella. I felt as thought I never had enough time like this. Life always had me doing something. Cooking dinner, homework, working.. I could never just be.
I heard the familiar tires on the gravel and realized it was time to return to reality. Charlie was home. I got up and headed into the house to prepare dinner. As routine, Charlie called my name as if he was unsure if I was the cause of the noises coming from the kitchen. It always cracked me up but it was how we were.
"I'm in here, dad" I shouted and I began preparing the spaghetti. I was relaxed from my time to myself. Cooking always helped with a momentary escape and luckily it was helping today.
"Hey Bells, how was your day?" my dad asked.
"Oh, it was fine. I enjoyed a break from the rain." Forks, Washington was an extremely rainy town. I swear it was only sunny 10 days a year. Originally from Phoenix, Arizona I had grown up in the sun. The sun was safe. The sun was life. Now it was like I was caged in this small town. Like the clouds were keeping me trapped in.
"How was your day, dad?" I asked.
"Slow, really. I ended up sitting at the station playing cards with the boys all afternoon." Charlie was the chief of police here in Forks. Sort of the key to the lock of this cage. Ha! If only I could find the key!
"Well, dinner will be ready shortly. Go watch TV; I'll let you know when it's ready."
My dad grinned and headed for his usual spot on the couch. I let my mind wander free as I continued making dinner. When it was finally ready, I called Charlie in and we ate in silence. Silence was customary for us. It was comfortable; it allowed us to spend time together but not have to make small talk. This is what I enjoyed about Charlie the most. He was a simple man; he would fish on the weekends and stay with his wife – the police station- during the week.
I picked up a book and began to read. A new semester was starting tomorrow so I might as well get a jump on the reading list. We finished dinner like this and he made his way back to the couch to watch baseball as I did the dishes. Once they were finished, I headed up the stairs to take a shower. I let the hot water wash away the rest of the tension. Showers were always good about that. After a very peaceful day I decided I was exhausted. I brushed my hair and teeth and said my goodnights to Charlie.
I woke with a start the next morning. Great, school. I looked out the window to confirm Charlie had left for the day. I started getting dressed in my usual t shirt and jeans and grabbing my bag of toiletries. I brushed my teeth and brushed my wild bed head. After completing my morning routine, I made my way downstairs for a granola bar. After popping it in my mouth and grabbing my rain coat, I made my way out of the house ready to start the day.
I jumped into my old Chevy without any of my usual clumsy-induced accidents. The truck roared to life and I made my way to school.. Forks High School was small.. really small. The school had a total of 358 students. My class in Phoenix had 700 students alone. I made my way to my first class with a sigh. Mike Newton was coming towards me. Sure, he was a friend.. I guess. But it was obvious he wanted more. Something I wasn't willing to give.
"Bella!" Mike yelled as he started jogging towards me. I paused, crap. Well, might as well not be rude.
"Hey Mike, what's up?" Mike grinned as he finally reached me.
"Have you seen the new students yet? There are five of them. They seem really different though."
I hadn't heard about the new students yet. I was in a way elated that I was no longer the newest toy in town. Maybe everyone could back off now. On the other hand, they already had my deepest sympathies. Forks was not a normal town. Everyone knew everything about everyone. Everyone's grandparents went to school together. I was lucky to have Charlie. He was from here. His parents were from here. I had a connection. The new students had nothing.
"No, I haven't heard about them, Mike. I'm sure they're not that different, just not familiar." "Sure, Bella, whatever you say. Just wait until you see them. Maybe you will see what I mean." Just then I was actually saved by the bell.
"Well, Mike gotta go to class. See you at lunch!" "Bye Bella!"
I could have sworn I heard sadness in his tone. Maybe he was finally getting the picture.
My classes passed in a blur. My friend Jessica, the school gossip, could not shut up about the new kids. She had spotted two of them holding hands on her way to class. She had attempted to say hi but they just shrugged her off. Not something she was used to being Ms. Popularity. It was hard to control my laughter at that.
"Maybe they're just nervous Jessica. They're new here. Everyone handles that differently."
"Come on Bella, you don't really believe that do you? I mean look at me. There is no valid reason for them to brush me off like that! They must be freaks or something.."
"Jess, listen. You don't know them. They probably had a very valid excuse. You're right, look at you. Maybe you intimidated them with your beauty." Yeah, right. Whatever it takes to just shut her up.
The bell rang and it was finally time for lunch. I made my way to my usual table when I spotted them. All five of them. I'm pretty sure my mind was a cluster fuck of periods at this point. Well, they certainly were different. They were gorgeous! They were all different but at the same time alike. They all had the alabaster pale skin and deep gold eyes. Odd. I've never seen gold eyes before. There was a short, black haired angel holding onto a tall, blonde guy. Next to the blonde model was yet another blonde model. My self esteem dropped ten points just looking at her. She was holding on to a muscular dark haired guy with dimples. Then next to him was the most gorgeous creature I have ever laid eyes on. He had bronze hair styled in disarray that reeked of sex appeal. He had a wide set jaw and the most kissable lips. I was lost on him until I heard someone yelling my name.
I was having trouble snapping back into reality until I felt someone tugging on my arm. I looked over to see and excited Jessica bouncing up and down.
"I got the dirt on them Bella! You'll never believe this!" She wouldn't stop bouncing as she led the way to our table. I sat down next to my only real friend Angela. Angela was shy in a sweet way. She never pushed me to talk and we could experience silence together and still be hanging out. It was nice. She rolled her eyes as Jessica started to "spill the beans on the new kids."
"Well it turns out they're all adopted, but they're together! Like together-together. The small dark haired girl in that cute jacket. She's Alice, and she is with that tall blonde guy Jasper. The tall blonde girl who thinks she's all that, she's Rosalie. She with the big guy Emmett. The last one is Edward. Apparently he's the odd one out." She looked at the bronze haired god with the dreamiest look. Well, I know what that means. Poor guy won't know what hit him.
I chanced a peek over at their table in the corner. They all sat next to their respective couples all looking in random directions not speaking. Their food sat untouched.
"Anyways, I guess that they really haven't spoken to anyone. Kind of weird don't ya think?" I really wanted to slap her. I know what it's like to be new. I didn't want to talk to anyone either. She really needed to leave them alone! Wait, why was I getting so protective? I felt like I would have done anything to protect them. Weird. Jessica started rambling about how gorgeous Edward was and how she would get him to ask her out by the end of the week. She kept rambling on about power couples and how they would be cuter than Brad and Jenn. I kept catching myself staring at them. Like I was trying to figure them out.
It was then that I realized that they were too alike to all be adopted. I mean they all had gold eyes, pale skin.. The eyes are what really got me. I mean, I've never seen that eye color before and all five of them had it. And they were adopted? Something was up. I snapped out of my reverie before I had time to spill my observations to Jessica. That protective trigger was switched in me again. I felt like I would guard them with my life.
Finally, the bell rang. I rushed out before "Mike the golden retriever" as Angela and I had dubbed him could catch up with me and walk me to class. I sat down at my lone table and began to draw random scribbles on my notebook. I was trying to keep my mind occupied before I went too far. What was wrong with me? Protect random strangers with my life? That's when it happened. Call it intuition if you must. But I had to look up. I looked up and caught the golden eyes of none other than Edward Cullen. He handed his note to Mr. Banner without breaking eye contact with me. With each passing second his eyes were turning into darker shades. Mr. Banner pointed out to my table, assigning Edward to the only remaining seat. Next to me. By the time Edward reached my, our, table his eyes were completely black. His expression was one of hate. The way he glared should have sent chills up my spine. It didn't. The small voice in the back of my mind, Mother Intuition or whatever, was telling me he would never hurt me. The icy deadly glare continued as he sat himself next to me. I couldn't break eye contact if I tried. He was drawing me in. I was drowning in his intoxicating smell. Lured in by the perfect features of his face. I was officially a goner.
Everything began getting fuzzy as I realized I wasn't breathing. Still, I could see Edward's black eyes piercing through me. It took all my effort to breathe, but it was impossible. It was as if I was being strangled. I kept trying with all my might when suddenly everything went dark.
When my senses started coming back to me I smelled the odor of the hospital. Great, what did I fall over this time? My head was throbbing and my back felt broken. Actually broken in half. I forced my eyes open and took in my surroundings. Yep, definitely in the hospital. My eyes began to wander around the room until I caught sight of Charlie sleeping in a chair in the corner. Damn, how long have I been out? You could tell Charlie was uncomfortable and I couldn't bare him having an awful nights sleep on my account. I willed myself to sit up, and it took a lot out of me.
"Charlie, wake up.. Come on, wake up dad!" Charlie jumped out of his seat and ran to my side as soon as he realized I was up.
"Bella you're awake! How do you feel? Should I call the doctor in? What do you need, Bells?" He was talking a mile and minute and his voice got louder and louder with each passing second causing my head to hurt worse.
"I'm fine, dad. What happened?" He looked relieved but continued to search my eyes for any signs of lying.
"Well, Bells, you were sitting in biology when you fainted. You hit your head and back on the table pretty hard." Well that explains why I feel like I'm cut in half. Wait, fainted? I started searching my memory. Hmm.. drawing scribbles on my notebook.. looking up.. Edward! The realization of what happened caused my breathing to hitch.
"Bella? Are you okay? I'm going to go get Dr. Cullen. Be right back sweetie." By the time I looked up Charlie was already gone. I was still trying to process what had happened when Charlie's words repeated.. I'm going to go get Dr. Cullen. Dr. Cullen? He must be their "adoptive" father.
Just as this hit me Charlie came barging through the door followed by one of the six most attractive people I have ever seen in my life. His skin was the same alabaster pale as the rest of the Cullens and surprise surprise he had gold eyes. He had light blonde hair and looked to be in his mid 20s. Pretty young to adopt five teenagers if you ask me. This all added to the suspicion. Like I said, something was up.
"Bella, I'm Dr. Cullen. How are you feeling?" His voice sounded like music. Deep and smooth. Like a harmony.
"Nice to meet you Dr. Cullen. I'm fine, really. Don't worry about me." A smile made its way across Dr. Cullen's perfect face.
"Well, Bella, it's my job to worry about you. Tell me, does your head hurt?" I really didn't want to give Charlie any reason to worry but looking at Dr. Cullen, there was no way I could lie. He held a sense of authority about him. Not that he would ever yell at you. More like he would use that disappointed tone that would make you cry for days.
With a grimace I had to answer truthfully.
"Well, my head is throbbing. And my back really hurts." Dr. Cullen looked like he was expecting that answer.
"Well, Bella, judging from what I saw it's going to hurt for a few days. I'll prescribe you something for the pain but you should take it easy. If you don't feel any better in a few days or start to feel dizzy I want you to call or come back. Okay?"
"Sure thing Dr. Cullen."
Dr. Cullen smiled and replied, "Well Bella, I looked at your file and spoke with some of the nurses. You might as well call me Carlisle, I'm sure you'll be here enough." At this point he was chuckling and even though I would normally not find that funny I couldn't help but laugh a long with him.
"Whatever you say, Carlisle. When can I go home?"
"I can go get the discharge papers now. Just remember what I said take it easy. And, Chief Swan, if you see any cause for concern be sure to bring her back."
Charlie finally looked up from me to Carlisle. "Sure thing doc. It's nice to finally meet you by the way. And, please, call me Charlie. I can't stand formalities."
Carlisle chuckled along with my father. "Sure thing, Charlie. It's been a pleasure meeting you both. I'll go prepare the paper work now so we can get Bella out of here." With that, he turned and glided gracefully out of the room.
I looked up at Charlie and you could tell he was worried through his skull.
"Ch-dad I'm fine. Really. Just sore. He's giving me a prescription for the pain so I'll be fine. Let's get me out of here; I'm sure I'll need more sleep if I ever plan on making it through school tomorrow."
"I don't think you should go to school tomorrow, honey. Take a day to rest. Let your body get some energy." I turned to glare at Charlie. I do not like being treated like some invalid. This sort of stuff happens to me enough. I'm used to pain. And I can't bare the idea of Charlie hovering over me all day tomorrow.
"Charlie, I'm going to school. I'm fine. We'll get the meds. I'll take them to make you happy. And I will get through it just fine. What time is it anyway?" Charlie glanced at his watch and back at me.
"It's ten at night, Bells. You were out for a while. You should really take the day off."
"Charlie! I'm already behind in biology thanks to today. I will not fall further behind! The semester just started today and I really don't feel like spending the rest of it trying to bring up my gpa from falling behind at the beginning! I'm fine!"
My outburst must of scared Charlie because he just looked down and nodded. I slowly lowered myself to the floor and out of my bed making sure to keep my face blank of any pain. Though I must say I felt like I was hit by a train. Finally, Carlisle appeared and handed the paperwork to Charlie.
"Thanks, Carlisle. I'm sure I'll see you soon like you said." He smiled a breath-taking smile.
"Sure thing Bella. Be sure to take care of yourself." And with that he left. I looked up at Charlie willing him to move so we could leave. Finally, Charlie snapped out of whatever zone he was in and began to walk out the door Carlisle had come through.
What felt like hours later, I was showered and crawling into bed. I would have thought it would be easy to fall asleep with all of the meds going through my system but all I could think about were those piercing black eyes. What was up with that? He looked like he wanted me dead. What the hell did I ever do to him? I willed myself to be angry but I came up short. I was intrigued through and through. I would only admit to myself that the only reason why I was going to school was to see Edward. Something was up with him. Hell, something was up with his whole family. With the events of this rather long day replaying in my head over and over again I finally drifted off into a dreamless sleep.