First Date
Bella:
I got to my bio class, and felt a little underwhelmed, if that's a word. I guess Damien must be going through his own routine by now. As I got in, the fan was on, giving me a massive blast of cold as I got in, blowing my hair all over the place as the teacher came over to welcome me. He told me to sit next to Edward Cullen, who looked like he was about to gag on something. If I cared what he thought, I might've been a little offended.
I got settled in as he looked away, ignoring me as much as possible. Although, when he did look at me, he gave me a scowl that just told me he didn't want to be there because he didn't even try to talk to me. Well, Jess had said he was a bit snotty, so I just returned the favor, and ignored him too. I made up my mind to see if I could switch out of that class, and maybe I could take the AP Chemistry Damien had. Once I got there, though, Edward was trying to argue with the registrar about switching out to another class. They wouldn't let him, so stomped off, brushing past me, and not bothering to look over.
I ended up meeting with Damien, and Jess after my classes as I went back to my truck. I glanced over at her, and shrugged.
"You right about Cullen, what a douche."
She nodded, chuckling, "What did I tell you?"
I looked over at Damien, who was throwing his book bag into his car, "So, how'd your class go?"
He leaned against his car, and smiled, "Same old, same old. I mean, not exactly the same lecture, but the teacher's pretty consistent with his style."
I smirked, "Think there's room for one more?"
He was puzzled, but at once understood, "That bad, huh?"
I leaned on the car, next to him, "It wasn't terrible, but it wasn't great either. Ever have to deal with those people who make you wish you never came?"
"I know the feeling. I got it, too, the first couple of weeks."
I looked at him, "What'd you do?"
"I just ignored that feeling, and pushed on. Besides, I've got stuff to do. Don't give yourself something extra to worry about."
I sighed as I pulled my shoulders up, "You're right. I'm making a big deal, and he doesn't rate that."
He nodded, knowingly, and smirked, "Ah, yes. Mr. Cullen gave you the cold shoulder, huh? He does that to everyone. Don't let it bug you. It just means you're not his brand of weird."
I had to laugh at that, and asked, "Do you have stuff to do later?"
He thought about it, looking pensive for a moment, and then, "I'll probably have my homework finished by then. What's up?"
I stood there for a moment, not sure how to continue, "I don't know. Maybe, we could hang out."
He smiled, "Yeah, that'd be awesome. How about 6pm?"
I chuckled, "Well, obviously. I mean, we're not meeting for breakfast."
I saw Mike jog over as Jess smiled, somewhat relieved, He was out of breath as he asked, "What's up? What are you guys talking about?"
I dismissed it, "Nothing. Don't worry about it" and that just made Jessica's smile go broader. She looked a bit like the Cheshire cat for a moment.
He looked over at me, and asked, "So, how's about we go out to a movie, or something?"
I gave him an apologetic look, "I made plans for tonight. Maybe some other time, ok?"
At once, Mike understood, and scowled at Damien, "You got plans too?"
Damien shook his head slowly, "Mind not being a bitch about it?"
Mike turned away, "It's cool. Whatever, man." He stomped off, just then, and Jess watched him go, slightly disappointed.
Damien motioned to Jess, "Hey, we talked about this. How's he going to know what you're thinking if you don't tell him?"
She looked up and seemed to be holding herself, "Here goes nothing. See you tomorrow, Bella."
She walked off, going the same direction as Mike, leaving us alone.
I had to laugh as I looked up at him, "Is he always like that?"
"Not quite. He took a liking to you, and I guess he hoped you'd feel the same."
I fought the urge to lean on him as I laughed even harder, and I kept looking at him as my laughter tapered off. I finally looked at my watch, and told him, "Hey, I've got to meet my dad for dinner. We're on for tonight, though, right?"
He nodded as he opened my door for me after I unlocked it, "Sure, it's a date. I'll pick you up around 6, Alright?"
I smiled, wider now. That made my day.
I met my Charlie at the local diner. He looked up and I guess he noticed I was smiling. He chuckled, "Did you have a good day at school?"
"Maybe, depending on how you look at it. I have a date."
He placed his elbows on the table, folding his hands under his chin, "Do I know the guy?"
I hesitated, "I don't know. It's another newcomer. He's the guy who bought your Impala, Damien Summers."
He totally relaxed then, "Oh, yeah. I know him. He's a good kid. He did an internship at the station. He organized all the massive paperwork, combined case files and made a database for everyone to follow."
I nodded, "He's on the school paper, too. Do you know anything else about him?"
He shook his head a bit, "I don't know too much. He's not very talkative, but he is friendly. I'm sure he'll tell you what you want to know."
"I'm thinking of joining the school paper, too. So, I can help him with a project."
Charlie seemed very pleased at all this, "I'm glad it went so well for you. So, everything went well today?"
I looked away for a moment, "Sort of."
He looked over at me, "Uh-oh. What happened?"
I shrugged, "It's nothing. I bumped into someone who was totally rude to me, but Damien told me not to sweat it."
"That's true. Rude people aren't worth your time."
We spent the rest of dinner talking about my date, and he was telling me to be careful, be safe if things went in a serious direction.
"Do you know the Cullens?"
"I know Dr. Cullen. There are a lot of rumors about his whole family, but that's small town politics for you. Small minds, you know?"
"Not everyone." I defended.
He smiled, "Damien's from out of town. I see you really like this guy. So, where are you going tonight?"
I found myself stumped, "I don't actually know the area, so I'm wondering about that, myself. He's dropping by the house around 6 tonight. So, I'm pretty sure he'll tell you what he's got planned for tonight."
"Are you nervous?"
I shook my head, "More excited, actually."
He cleared his throat, ""Well, I guess we'll see, then."
Damien actually arrived a quarter to the hour, which Charlie really liked. I told him to come in and meet Charlie formally.
He inclined his head, "Hello, Chief Swan. It's good to see you again. I hope all is running well at the station."
My dad chuckled a bit, "Business before pleasure, huh? Yeah, everything's running smooth. So, do you two have the same classes?"
I answered, "We have a few together. I'm thinking of switching to one more, if possible."
Charlie looked over at me, "I didn't know you changed your name, Bells."
I gave him a wry look, and he looked to Damien, "Where are you planning to go?"
"I'm thinking of having us go to Port Angeles. Don't worry, though. I'll have her home before 10."
Charlie shrugged, "It's alright. Make it half past 10, and you'll be fine."
We walked out to the car, and Damien opened the door for me, "Entre, Mademoiselle."
I got in, and he closed it slowly, yet firmly. Then he went to his side, got in, smiling as he looked over to me as he started the car.
I had to ask, "So, what were you telling Jess back at school?"
He shrugged, "You'll have to ask her. We're here. Ready for dinner?"
I could tell my smile was broad, and toothy, "And then some…"
Continued…
