Chapter Two: Voices
As Professor Brooks droned on about the course saying how it's about "introducing us to the unexpected" and we will find "new and diverse narrative forms by writers such as Toni Morrison, Thomas Pynchon, Maxine Hong Kingston, Leslie Silko, …" Interrupting the speech was Edward's soft, twinkling laugh. No one else seemed to have heard it since their eyes were still glued to the professor or to their cell phones. I glanced back to find Bella with a confused face.
"Shhh why are you acting so weird today?"
"Don't worry. I guess you're still not used to your new body yet. But no human can hear us right now. We're speaking way to low, fast and soft for human ears to detect." No human? Does that mean they weren't human? And new body? Is that why they were so beautiful? Maybe they got intensive plastic surgery or something.
"Still, you don't want to risk it. Anyways, what were you laughing about? "
"That girl, Victoria" I flinched at my name. So he was talking about me? "I just can't figure her out. I think she might be even harder to read than you. For you I just felt nothing. But for her I feel like she is blocking me out. Like she built a wall that I can't penetrate. Bizarre but I don't think humans can do that." Once again the talking about humans thing like he wasn't one himself. The couple is just getting weirder and weirder.
"I think she can hear us." She glimpsed over at me. But by that time I was looking at the teacher and pretending to take notes.
"Sweetheart, of course she can't. I already told you, humans can't hear us right now."
"But when you said her name, she flinched." So Bella did notice; I guess she's very observant.
"Probably because she's cold. She's only wearing a t-shirt and the air conditioner is on. It's just that you don't feel it." Don't feel the air conditioner? Does that mean they cant feel hot and cold. Maybe their nerves were damaged during the surgery. And maybe they thought that they were so beautiful, they were above being human. Maybe that's why he keeps referring to humans like another species. As I told this to myself, I knew I was trying to convince myself of a lie. The story I spun up didn't even make sense but it was logical. Sort of.
"I'm sure she can hear us. She tenses up every time we talk."
"Bella, that's completely abs… " he stopped talking and I felt him gaze at me. Unintentionally, my muscles tensed. "I think you're right, Bella. But that's impossible. She only a mere human." This time he lowered his voice even more and spoke so fast I could barely catch what he was saying.
"I think we should just talk to her after class. Maybe she's you know."
"No she can't be. I can hear her heart beat and I can smell the scent of her blood. Which I have to say is almost as sweet as yours. But of course no one can ever match yours." He can hear my heart? Even I can't hear my own heart beat. His hearing must be exceptional. But that remark about the scent of my blood completely freaks me out. How can you describe blood as sweet? To me it always smelled like rust and salt.
"Shhh. I think she can still hear us. "
"Mr. Cullen can you please tell us about Ralph Waldo Ellison. He will be one of the main writers we will study." Professor Brooks interrupted.
"Yes sir. Ralph Waldo Ellison was born March 1, 1913 and died April 16, 1994. He was a scholar and writer. He was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and was best known for his novel Invisible Man, which won the National Book Award in 1953. He also wrote Shadow and Act in1964, a collection of political, social and critical essays, and Going to the Territory in 1986…" Did he memorize wikipedia or something? Everyone in the class stared at him in amazement or in envy but professor Brooks looked proud.
When class was over, Bella came over to me.
"What class do you have next?"
"I have a break then I have Bio."
"Really? Me too! Do you want Edward to show you around campus?"
"It's ok. Thanks anyways. Are you freshmen? You seem to know the school and teachers very well. "
"Yea, Carlisle, our foster dad, is pretty familiar with the school and teacher so we've been here a couple of times. And well, Edward's dad, his real dad was Professor Brooks' best student, that's why he likes him so much. But then again who doesn't like Edward?" She laughed.
"Oh I see. Yea I should have gotten familiar with campus too. Then maybe I wouldn't have been late which by the way thanks so much again."
"No problem" I swear every time he talks, my heart skips a beat.
"We can show you around campus if you want" Bella offered.
"It's ok, I can do that myself. I think I troubled you guys enough today."
"Really, it's no problem because we have nothing to do anyways. We were just planning to walk around but now you and I can get to know each other."
"Umm ok I guess. Thanks" I managed a smile. As we walked around, the halls began to clear because class was starting. After showing me to my next classes, I suggested that we go sit on the benches in the courtyard since the weather was really nice today. With out meeting my eye, Bella quickly said that she didn't like the sun. So we stayed in the building and sat against the wall in an empty corridor.
"So where did you move from?" She inquired.
"Pennsylvania, you?"
"Washington"
"D.C.?"
"No, state, in a town named forks."
"Oh that's all the way across the country" I faked a laugh.
"Yea"
"Can I ask you a question?" Bella seemed unsure of what to say.
"Sure"
"Well, it's more of a comment but your eyes changed color. Before they had bits of red but now they're completely amber." Both of them stiffened after hearing this.
"Oh really? People told me that before. My eyes seem to change under different lights."
"Oh" I was unconvinced but I dropped the subject knowing that they probably wouldn't say anymore.
"You're very curious" Edward suddenly said.
"Yep, always am."
"You heard us didn't you?" His golden eyes were staring deep into me as if he could see inside me; I had to look away. I was unsure of whether or not to tell the truth.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to eavesdrop but it's just that I couldn't help but overhear you, sorry."
"You're not going to ask?"
"No because you're not going to tell the truth just like my last question. I'll know the answer when the time comes."
"Interesting logic." The other classes were almost over so students were piling into the halls again. We stood up to go to Biology but as I walked down someone knocked into me and my water bottle fell out of my hands. As it rolled around the floor, I accidentally stepped on it and started to fall. Edward came out of nowhere as a blur. I sensed his hand trying to pull me up but as soon as he made contact with my skin, my head was bombarded with thousands of voices. I felt like my skull was going to burst. I couldn't withstand the pain any more and felt myself slipping away as my world went black.
Hey guys! I tried to leave off at a hook. There will be a lot more explanations next chapter but also a lot more mysteries. I still need to tweak it up a bit though so I'll post as soon as possible. Please REVIEW, I really want to know what you guys think. Thanks :D
~fantasylover007
