The Shy Edward

It was my first day at Forks High School. The place didn't seem as lively and bright as my school back in Phoenix but I didn't mind.

I went to the school reception and said to the dark-haired receptionist, "Hi, my name is Isabella Swan. I'm the new student."

The receptionist looked up from her computer and smiled.

"Why, hello, Isabella. I was looking forward to meeting you. Here is your class schedule and your school map. Your class schedule will tell you where your classes are and which teacher you are having. I hope you have an absolutely inspiring first day here at Forks High School," she replied, cheerfully as she handed me a few sheets of paper.

"Thank you very much," I acknowledged.

I walked out of the reception office and saw that a large number of people had arrived at school and were chatting while waiting for the bell to ring.

As soon as the bell rung, I looked at my class schedule to see that my first class was Biology. The room was in building B, in classroom 6. I had absolutely no idea where that was so I had to check the map. Luckily, the building wasn't far from where I was standing.

I reached the classroom just in time for the second bell to ring.

My Biology teacher was a man in his late 40s. The badge pinned to his shirt said that his name was Mister Michael Crenzer.

"Hello, my name is Isabella Swan. I'm new at the school," I said as I approached the teacher.

"Oh, yes, Isabella. I've been expecting you," he answered.

"You can call me Bella. Where do you want me to sit?" I questioned.

"I'm sorry but there's only one seat available, if you don't mind. Just over there", he murmured as he pointed to an empty seat next to a surprisingly beautiful boy.

The boy had pale skin as smooth as statue. His dark eyes were charming as well as dangerous. He sat motionless, as if he had been frozen.

I approached the table where this boy sat. His eyes followed my every move. He looked as though I was an enemy of his, as though I had harmed him somehow before this moment.

Suddenly, his hand shot up to his mouth. He looked like he was trying to cut off his own breathing, trying to smother himself. His hand was trembling, and then it tightened up into a fist. His free hand grabbed the end of the table and gripped onto it as though he was holding onto it to save his life.

I didn't know how to react. He turned his head away from me. Trembling. I sat down slowly.

We didn't speak at all for the lesson. He bolted out of the room as soon as the class was dismissed.

What did I do? I thought to myself. The image of the boy covering his mouth and gripping onto the table for dear life was stuck in my mind for the rest of the day.

The next day in Biology, he did the same thing when I entered the room. But when I sat down next to him, he seemed like he was trying to calm himself down, as though he were trying to focus on reality after day dreaming something unpleasant.

"Excuse me. Would you like me to sit somewhere else?" I questioned. He shook his head in response. I was confused. He acted as though I was a murderer of some sort and now he wanted me to sit next to him.

We didn't talk again for the rest of the lesson, although, he didn't cover his mouth or tremble again.

At lunch, I sat with a few people from my classes. There was a girl called Jessica Stanley. She was the first person to talk to me yesterday. Then there was Mike Newton. Even though I had only been here for a little less than two days, I could definitely tell that Jess had a huge crush on Mike. The others were Angela Weber, Eric Yorkie and Tyler Crowley.

"I'm really glad that you're sitting with us, Isabella", Angela squealed.

"It's fine. I don't really know anybody here. Oh, and it's just Bella," I corrected.

I looked up just in time to see a group of five walk, well, more like strut, into the cafeteria.

Everyone at my table looked up and rolled their eyes. I was surprised by their reaction. The group of five must've been very well-known. Then, I realised. The boy who I sat next to in Biology was part of the five.

"Um, who are they?" I pried.

Jess looked up at the group and then to me. "Oh, they're the Cullen family. They're really, well, posh, I guess. Dr Cullen and his wife adopted them all," she retorted.

I peeked at them from the corner of my eye. They did look very rich and posh. They didn't touch their food.

I thought about the Cullens when I was in bed. They had all looked so beautiful. They didn't look like they belonged in Forks.

The next day, I had Biology just before lunch.

I sat down next to the boy as he seemed like he was trying to keep himself calm again.

"Excuse me," I whispered. The boy looked up and his brilliant golden eyes were staring at me. I lost my breath for a moment as I captured his beauty. He was waiting for me to speak again. "Um, d-do you have a problem sitting next to me?" I asked innocently.

"No," he squeaked out quietly. His voice was as smooth as his skin.

"You're Edward, right? Edward Cullen?" I questioned. He kept his eyes locked on mine as he nodded. I lost my breath momentarily again. It was like I was under some kind of spell and every time he looked at me, I would be knocked off my feet.

Just like every other day, we didn't speak for the rest of the lesson.

When the bell had gone for lunch, Edward got up slowly as though he wanted to talk to me but wasn't sure. He walked out of the classroom, casually. I followed him out.

"Um, Edward. Can I talk to you?" I asked. I was planning to ask him why he had acted so strangely on the first day.

As soon as he heard his name, he stopped and turned around.

"I-I was just wondering why you were acting the way you were on my first day," I managed to say. Edward tugged on the sleeve of my shirt and motioned me to a corner in the hallway. He didn't say anything. He just looked into my eyes as though he were trying to find something that wasn't there. I cleared my throat and he seemed to snap back from his search.

"What?" he asked confused.

"I wanted to know why you were acting the way you were on my first day here," I said slowly.

He looked puzzled at my remark.

"What way? I don't know what you're talking about. I have to go," he said nervously. Edward walked in the opposite direction of the cafeteria.

I went and sat down with Jess and the others.

"Are you okay, Bella? You look really angry," Mike questioned. He put his hand on my arm.

"Just mind your own business, Mike," I muttered under my breath as I shook his hand off.

"Okay, okay," he said sarcastically.

"ARGH! What is with that Edward Cullen?! He acts like I just stabbed him in the back with a knife! If he has a problem with me, why doesn't he just tell me?! I am so annoyed!" I hissed.

"Jeez, Bella! Calm down! Now, repeat the problem but don't yell it out this time," Jess called out.

"Look, sorry. It's just that Edward Cullen is annoying me so much. He acts like I have some kind of toxic gas coming from me or like I did something that makes him want to just lash out against me. Then, when I ask him what's wrong, he acts like I'm crazy and he doesn't want to be seen with a crazy person. Gosh, it makes no sense!" I revealed.

"What? Bella, Edward Cullen is a freak, okay? You know what? I'm going to ask him what his problem is. He has no right to treat you like that," Mike said as anger became evident in his eyes.

"No, Mike. Never mind. Let's talk about something else, okay?" I requested as I eyed Edward.

I was walking to my truck after school when I saw him. Edward Cullen was leaning against my car. What was he going to do? Or, what had he done?

"Bella. I'm sorry about what happened after Biology. I hope you find it in your heart to forgive me," he apologised. He walked past me to get to his silver Volvo. As he walked past, he put his cold hand on my shoulder. What did he think he was doing? He had no right to touch me after everything he did. Not even after he apologised. He hadn't even explained why he was sorry and why he acted all those ways.

I scowled at him.

When I got home, Charlie was talking to Renee on the phone.

I stormed up to my room.

"Bella! Your mom wants to talk to you!" Charlie yelled from downstairs. I turned around and stormed back down the stairs. I yanked the phone out of Charlie's hand.

"Hi, mom."

"Bella! Oh, honey, how are things over there?"

"Just fine."

"Come on! Tell me how your first day was!"

"Like I said, just fine."

"There has to be more than that! Any good-looking boys?"

"Mom! Look, I don't want to talk about this right now."

"Why not? Bella, I want to know these things! Are you interested in any of them?"

"No, mom! As a matter of fact, there are a number of jerks!"

"Oh, Bella. You've only been there a few days. I'm sure you're just misunderstanding."

"Mom, you know what? I have to go. I'll talk to you later."

"Aw, okay, darling. Bye! Love you lots. Remember to call me!"

"Okay, I will, mom. Love you, too."

I sat cross-legged on my bed facing away from my window.

There was a cold hand on my shoulder and I heard 'Bella'.

I screamed and jumped off my bed falling to the floor.

"Bella! Are you okay up there?" Charlie yelled.

"Yeah, Dad! I'm fine!" I shouted back.

"What do you think you're doing here?!" I whispered so that Charlie couldn't hear.

"I said I was sorry for how I acted. Can't you just accept that?" Edward answered.

"No! I can't just accept it because you didn't tell me why you acted like that! How can you expect me to forgive you if you won't explain it to me?" I hissed.

"Charlie's coming," Edward said as he looked at the door. I turned around to open the door.

"What's with all the noise, Bella?" Charlie asked suspiciously.

"Um, nothing, Dad. I just dropped my book. Sorry," I apologised.

Charlie shook his head as he went back downstairs.

I closed the door and locked it. When I turned around, Edward was gone.