Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of Stephenie Meyer. The original characters and plot are the property of Stephenie Meyer. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.
The Gloaming - Chapter One
As I drive into the parking lot of Forks High School for the beginning of my junior year I notice something unusual. A shiny silver Volvo is parked in my spot. We don't really have specific assigned spaces, but I started parking there last year and I'm kind of attached. I maneuver my antique of a truck into another spot down the row. Who is that? It's a really nice car. Not even Mike Newton has a car that nice and his family is one of the richest in town. It's by far the nicest car in the lot. You can almost smell the new car interior from here. It can't be a teacher's car; they park in another lot. And a teacher probably couldn't afford a Volvo. Who is it?
As I stand with the group surrounding the Volvo staring at it, I realize that I'm about to be late to English. I'm never late. I detest late. So I tear myself away from the "oddity" and run to the English building. This is not a good idea. In my haste, I trip over the door facing while entering the building and drop my books. This is a typical thing for me. I trip a lot and this is not the first time I have dropped my books, nor will it be the last. My notebook slides across the hall and bumps into a red high heel shoe.
Before I can reach my notebook, a pale white hand bends down and picks it up. "Does this belong to you?" I can't even speak. The girl talking to me is the most beautiful creature I have ever seen. She definitely does not belong in Forks. She should be in New York working as a model. She has to be at least 5' 10" and has hair the color of spun gold. And her eyes. They're topaz. There's no other way to describe them. It's a color that I have never seen before. They're not brown or hazel, but gold. They're just slightly darker than her hair. And her voice… there are no words to describe the sound emanating from her lips.
"Um, yeah. Thanks. Sorry it hit you." I stammer. I've never been very good at talking to girls (especially attractive girls), but I sound even more idiotic trying to talk to this beautiful creature.
"It's okay," she says as she turns and walks into my English class. I stumble in behind her and notice that every head is turned in my direction. They aren't looking at me of course, they're looking at her. Who can blame them? She walks to the front of the class and hands her pass to Mrs. Morgan, who also is staring with her mouth slightly open.
"Hi, I'm Rosalie Hale. I think I'm supposed to be here for English." She's in my class. I would've sworn she was older. She's waiting for a reply from a person in a coma. Finally, Mrs. Morgan stammers out a yes and hands Rosalie a book and directs her to an empty seat. She then attempts to start class. No one is listening to her. We're all staring at the new girl. We can't help it. She doesn't seem to notice that every eye is on her. She's sitting there flipping the pages of her textbook. She looks bored. After about 30 minutes, people begin to pull their eyes off of Rosalie and start to pay attention to Mrs. Morgan's introductory lecture for American literature. When the bell rings Rosalie rises gracefully from her desk and exits into the hall, completely oblivious to the eyes following her. In the hall she meets with a mammoth of a guy. They take each other's hands and walk out of the building. She's been here one day and she already has a boyfriend? And what a boyfriend! He is huge; at least as tall as I am, but muscled like a bodybuilder. His hair is jet black and his skin is pale like Rosalie's.
"Hey!" Ben says as he catches up to me just outside of the English building. We have trigonometry together in the math building. "Did you get a look at the Arnold wannabe in the English building? He's in my class, Man. I thought that Miss Knapp was going to drown in her own drool looking at him. The girls in class couldn't tear their eyes off of him."
"I only saw his back. But, you're right, he's huge. The girl he walked out with is in my class. She's pretty unbelievable herself. Everyone, guys and girls, were staring at her. I don't think anyone heard a word Mrs. Morgan said." I know I hadn't.
"I wonder where they came from." Ben says as we entered trig and take our seats. I wonder the same thing. They are definitely not from Forks.
Just then two new faces walk into the room, hand in hand. The guy is blond, like Rosalie, but tall like her boyfriend. He isn't quite as muscular as the other guy. He has the same topaz eyes as Rosalie. The girl is small. That really isn't the right way to describe her. She is the tiniest person I have ever seen. If she is five feet tall she'll have to stretch straight up to reach it. And she is thin. She walks gracefully into the room, almost gliding. Her hair is dark brown and cut in spikes. It's a fitting haircut for her. And her eyes are topaz too and they're both pale as ghosts. That's weird. They look alike, but they don't. They walk gracefully to the front of the class and present their passes to Mr. Varner. He reads them and hands them each a book.
"Class, this is Alice Cullen and Jasper Hale. They will be joining us this year. Why don't you tell us a little about yourselves?"
Jasper looks like he could kill Mr. Varner right there. I can't blame him. Being new in school is bad enough without the teacher calling you out in front of the whole class. Alice squeezes Jasper's hand and speaks for both of them.
"Like Mr. Varner said, I'm Alice and this is Jasper. We just moved here from Alaska. We're really excited to be here." She then drags Jasper to two empty desks in the back near the door. Wow, her voice is as amazing as Rosalie's. Jasper has a pained expression on his face. He doesn't seem to want to be here. The first day at a new school has to be hard. I wouldn't know; been stuck here in Forks my whole life.
Mr. Varner starts class then, but I can't pay attention. Jasper and Rosalie have to be twins. They look too much alike to not be, but Alice is different. Except for the skin and the eyes; those are the same. The skin could be because of living in Alaska, I guess. But the eyes… they're strange. I've never seen a color like that before. It's so distinct. Suddenly the bell rings and everyone files out of class. I didn't hear anything Mr. Varner said. I hope this isn't indicative of the next nine months. I don't want to jeopardize my 4.0.
"Tell my lovely lady, that I will see her at lunch," Ben says as he heads to history and I turn to go to economics.
"Will do." I have economics with Angela. I can't wait to tell her about Alice Cullen and the Hales. I don't think that my description will ever do them justice. She'll have to see for herself. Even then she may not believe it. I'm finding it hard to believe that three people that beautiful would live in Forks.
"Hey, Edward. I saved you a seat." Ah, Angela. She knows how I hate the front row, but she loves it. I guess I'll have to suffer through the front row for Economics this year. Oh well, maybe it will help with the concentration problem I seem to be having today.
"Hey, Ang. Ben says that he will see you at lunch."
"I wish we could have every class together like last year. This sucks, only having three classes together."
"Well, at least you have me," And someone to wish for, I think. "Listen, have you seen the new kids?" I'm about to tell Angela about my morning, when I notice that her eyes are no longer on me. I turn in my seat to see Hercules coming in the door. He is holding onto Rosalie's hand and looking at her like she is the only person in the room. Actually, everyone in the room is looking at her with similar expression.
"Oh my god," Angela says slightly under her breath. "Who is he?"
"Angela, earth to Angela. Snap out of it. Remember Ben?" How fickle the teenage heart.
"Oh, I'm sorry. It's just… look at him. Look at her!" She points conspicuously toward the couple coming through the classroom door.
"I already have," I say as I push Angela's arm down. Pointing is rude and I really don't want the big guy to get offended. "That's Rosalie Hale. I have English with her and I think it's her brother in my trig class. His name is Jasper. Ben has English with the mammoth there. I don't know his name."
"They're …amazing." That's an understatement.
"Yeah, that seems to be the consensus of the entire class." All eyes are on them as they walk to the front of the room to give their passes to Mr. Perry.
"Ah, Mr. Cullen and Miss Hale. Welcome to Forks. I hope you are being welcomed by your fellow students." Mr. Perry isn't looking at them directly. It's obvious that he's trying to not gape at them.
Hercules speaks up then and says, "Yes, sir. Everyone has been very nice. Thank you." Good, Lord. He has a booming voice! It's like a cross between a tuba and a bass drum. Do all of these people have symphonic voices?
"Well, class, this is Emmett Cullen and Rosalie Hale. They come to us from Alaska. Let's all make them feel welcome. There appears to be two seats in the back row. Please take them and we'll get started." Mr. Perry turns to the board and lets out a loud breath, like he'd been holding it in the whole time.
"Wow." Angela hisses at me. "Did you hear that voice?"
"How could I miss that? He must be the brother of the girl in trig with Ben and me. Her name is Alice Cullen." They have to be siblings; same last name. But the only features that they have in common though are the eyes and the pale skin. It's just so strange. It's the oddest eye color I have ever seen. And all four of them share it. The skin too is so pale, but not pasty like me. They almost glow. Finally, something different in Forks.
~*~*~*~*~*~
Angela and I meet up with Ben for lunch. As we sit at our table I notice that the new kids have taken a table against the far wall of the cafeteria. And there are five of them now. Where did the third girl come from? She rivals Rosalie in the looks department. She is actually a little prettier. She has long, wavy chestnut colored hair and that pale skin. And the eyes. The same topaz eyes! What is up with that? Do they all have contacts? As I'm staring at her trying to figure out the eyes she suddenly turns and stares straight into my eyes. My heart skips a beat as I draw in a breath. My God, she's beautiful. There is no contest; this girl is far more beautiful than Rosalie. Her eyes narrow and she seems to be trying to look through me. No, not through me… into me. It's almost like she's trying to figure out what I'm thinking. I quickly look away. That was weird, and a little uncomfortable.
"That's Bella Cullen," Ben says.
"What?" I'm still trying to figure out what just happened. I feel a little lightheaded, like I stood up too fast and got a head rush.
"The one you were staring at. The brunette. Her name is Bella Cullen. She's Alice's sister."
"She must be the big guy's sister too," Angela adds. "Same last name, but they don't look alike."
"Except the eyes," I mutter. They have got to have on colored contacts. Gold is not a natural eye color.
"What?" I must have said that louder than I thought. I really hadn't meant for Ben or Angela to hear me.
"Um, nothing. Just thinking out loud, Ang. You must have had last period with her, huh Ben? Did you talk to her?"
"Yeah," asks Angela, "did you?" A lot of implication in that question, but she's smiling. She's probably just teasing him. She really has nothing to worry about. Ben is devoted to Angela and this Bella girl is way out of his league.
"Well, yeah I did. She sat next to me. It was the only seat left. I asked her if she liked Forks so far. She said that she did and thanked me for asking. That was it, I promise. I was just being polite." He's looking at Angela, almost pleading with her to forgive him. He's such a sucker.
"I'm playing with you, baby. I don't mind if you talk to her. I trust you." She doesn't have any reason to not trust him.
The look of relief on Ben's face is hilarious. I just shake my head. Their little exchanges are funny… sometimes. Sometimes they're so sweet I get a toothache just being near them.
I know Ben though. He had more of a conversation with the new girl than he's letting on. How else would he know that she's Alice's sister? He has more information than he's letting on. I'll have to get him alone later and get the rest of the conversation out of him.
I see movement out of the corner of my eye in the direction of the new kids and turn in time to see Mike Newton approach the table. His eyes are on Bella. He saunters up to the table and places his hand on the table next to Bella's. She looks down at his hand. She appears to be uncomfortable with his hand that close to her hand. She moves her hands under the table. He's talking to her. She nods to whatever he says and then she smiles. Something isn't right about her smile. It's too… wide. It looks like snarl. It's almost like an animal baring its teeth. Mike takes a step back. Then he shoves his hands in his pockets and looks at the floor. He says something else and then walks away. I see Alice kick Bella under the table. Bella looks at her with annoyance on her face and then her lips move very quickly. She suddenly snaps her head around and glares at me. I look away quickly, but not quickly enough. She has to know that I was watching the whole exchange. She probably thinks that I was eavesdropping. That must be why she looks so mad.
"Hey, quit staring at her, it's rude, Man." Ben is right. It is rude and she is way, way out of my league. She would never be interested in a dork like me. Mike has a better chance and it looks like she has shot him down cold. She must have high standards like her sisters. Good for her. She's out of his league too.
They all get up at the same time then, as if on cue, and go to throw their trays away. That's when I notice that none of the food on their trays has been eaten. They haven't eaten a single bite. It doesn't even look like anything has been touched. That's strange.
"What are you thinking about?" Ben snaps me back to reality.
"Huh?" How long have I been lost in my own thoughts?
"Dude, you haven't heard a word we've been saying for the last ten minutes. What are you thinking about?" Have I been staring at them that long? Geez, I can't tell Ben and Angela that I've been sitting here analyzing the new kids. Ben would have too much fun with that admission.
"Ah, you know me, thinking about next period history." I hate history. It's just boring memorization. There's no real challenge to the subject. It's not like science or math. Those subjects can really challenge your mind. It's also one of the classes I have alone. Alone meaning without Ben or Angela. I have other friends and people I talk to, but Ben and Angela are my support system. They really know me, so my dorkiness isn't as off-putting. It's hard to appear normal when they aren't around.
"You've got biology after that, Edward. You like biology and then we'll see you again in PE." She's right; I do like science, but PE… ugh.
"Ugh, PE." I hate PE more than history. I am not athletic. I trip over my own feet 90% of the time. PE is my personal hell. Balls, rackets, nets, all weapons of mass destruction in my hands. Most everyone in school has figured this out and they give me a wide berth.
"We won't let you kill anyone with your clumsiness. Relax. Hey, maybe you'll have a class with Bella." Ben is not helping. I really don't need the beautiful Bella Cullen as a distraction this year. Funny how her name suits her perfectly. Bella…beautiful. Beautiful Bella.
"Quit your daydreaming and get to class, Loverboy." Angela teases me out of my own mindless fantasies.
"To history with me. See you guys in PE." I head to the history building. It has started to rain slightly. I flip up the hood of my rain coat. It's a good idea to always wear a raincoat in Forks. It rains every other day. This is another reason I don't understand living here by choice. I'm going to college somewhere sunny and dry, like Arizona. I enter the classroom and hang my coat on one of the hooks by the door. As Mr. Harrell starts class I notice that none of the Cullens or the Hales enter the room. Good, at least one class without the distraction. Why couldn't it have been an interesting class, like trig? Maybe I'll get lucky in biology, too.
The hour drags on. I could gouge my ears out with my pencil from boredom. By the time class ends, it's raining hard outside. I fish an umbrella out of my bag and open it as I walk as fast as I dare to the science building. I don't even try to run like everyone else. I would just end up flat on my face if I tried. The sidewalks get a little slippery when they're wet so I have to be extra careful getting to class. I'm the last person to enter the biology classroom.
"Glad you could join us, Mr. Masen," Mr. Molina jokes to me. Mr. Molina likes me. He likes all of the smarter kids. I have a feeling that he was a member of the Nerd Herd in high school too and he understands us. I smile and shrug at him as I look around the room for an empty seat.
Oh, good Lord in heaven. The only empty seat is next to her. Bella Cullen. Mike is in this class. She must have really rattled him at lunch or he would be in that seat. She is sitting there staring out the window like she's bored. I really don't want to sit next to her. She intimidates me. She's too beautiful. I look around the room, but it really is the only seat left. Mr. Molina motions to it with a smile on his face. He thinks this is funny! Yeah, real funny. Let's sit the nerdiest guy in school next to the most beautiful girl and see what happens. Mr. Molina is probably considering this some kind of social experiment.
I slowly approach the desk. As I put down my books, she turns to me. Her eyes change to black immediately. It's like her pupils completely dilate and cover the entire iris. She's definitely not wearing contacts. She takes in a breath and wrinkles up her nose like she smells something bad. Then she suddenly moves her chair to the far end of the table.
What the hell?! I know that I'm not the most attractive person in the world but this is just plain rude. And, does she think I stink? I try to stealthily check my pits. I haven't been to PE yet and it is definitely not hot out today. I can't possibly stink. What is her problem?
Mr. Molina starts class then and I try to concentrate on the lecture, but I can feel her eyes boring holes into me. Her black eyes. They never change back to topaz and they never leave my face. She's glaring at me as if she hates me. She doesn't even know me, how can she hate me? It's uncomfortable. I glance at her from the corner of my eye and her eyes narrow into even more of a hateful glare. The bell rings and she is gone in a flash. She stared at me for the entire hour with hatred so intense I could actually feel it. I am lightheaded and slightly nauseated, like I'm having inner ear problems.
Mike is at my side before I realize it. "What did you do to her?"
"What?" I'm confused by the question. Shouldn't he ask what she had done to me? I'm the one who needs to sit and put his head between his knees.
"What. Did. You. Do. To. Bella?" He says it like I'm the stupid one in the conversation. I understand what he's asking, just not why he's asking it.
"Nothing. Why?" I ask him as I gather my things to head to PE. Ugh, PE! I wonder if I could get out of it if I claim inner ear issues. I do feel more off balance than usual.
"She was looking at you like you had stabbed her with a pencil or something. What did you say to her? What did you do?" He's leaning into me like he's intimidating me. I guess this posture works on guys his size, but I'm easily six or seven inches taller than him. I imagine the scene looks like a Dachshund threatening a Great Dane.
"I'm telling you, I didn't do anything to her. I didn't say anything to her. Why do you care anyway?" I say this with a hint of a smile on my face. I still have the mental picture of the Dachshund and the Great Dane in my head. I don't think that Mike is finding our conversation funny. He looks ticked.
"I don't, really. Just leave her alone. She's out of your league." He's looking me up and down as if to emphasize the point.
Oh, I see. He wants to ask her out. "I know. You don't have anything to worry about with me. Now if you'll excuse me I have to get to PE." I step around him and head for the door.
"Thanks for the warning," he yells to my back and then he doubles over in laughter. I had PE with him last year. He still thinks it's hilarious that I nearly kill myself and everyone around me with athletic equipment. I really don't like him.
