Hope you enjoy the next chapter- I know this story is rated M, but it's for later chapters. Please carry on reading! Reviews are love.
I stood behind Mike, letting him fight a path through the crowd of doe eyed girls that had gathered outside the classroom to gape at the newly arrived Edward Cullen.
"That's so interesting!" Lauren Mallory shrieked, flicking her blonde hair flirtatiously as she elbowed another girl out of the way to get closer to the new comer.
"Is he really that interesting?" Mike asked through gritted teeth as he reached back to yank me out of the crowd. I glanced briefly back and then shrugged.
"He's new," I mused, remembering the fuss when Cam and I had first arrived. "We don't much new in Forks."
Mike laughed loudly, his annoyance lifting as he turned off to his next class, promising to save me a seat at lunch. I headed for my next class, preparing myself for Jessica, who was waiting to pounce as I walked in.
"Did you SEE the new guy?" she gushed, bouncing out of her seat with excitement.
"Yes, I saw him Jess," I sighed, adjusting my hat to sit right as I listened to her breathlessly out line to me each point of Edward Cullen's perfection.
"Isn't he fantastic?" she whispered, her eye's distant.
"I suppose," I murmured half heartedly- not that she was really listening to me, caught up in thoughts of Edward Cullen.
"When he smiles Cassie! It takes you a second to restart your heart. He really takes a girls breathe away,"
"My heart's been fine so far," I admitted, bursting her little bubble. She looked at me, with an odd crestfallen expression. I quickly moved to another subject to distract her. "What happened to Mike anyway? I thought he was your perfect man?"
"I do," she admitted, giving me a sheepish look. "I guess I was just distracted. Most normal girls would be Cassandra!"
I ignored her playful jibe and listened idly as she chatted on for the duration of both Trig and Spanish, zoning back in when she mentioned Friday night's proposed outing. I let her lead the conversation, interjecting as little as possible as she consulted with me over what outfit she should wear and how to act around Mike. The conversation lasted all the way to the cafeteria, where the man in question had saved us a seat, waving us over as we left the lunch line. The usually full table was oddly empty- only Angela, Ben and Tyler had joined Mike.
"Where is everyone?" I asked, looking puzzled at the empty seats as if the others would suddenly appear on them. Tyler rolled his eyes, and then nodded towards an overly full table that was emitting a constant stream of flirtatious giggles.
"Edward Cullen again?" I asked, still puzzled.
"Cassandra doesn't buy the hype," Jess explained as she skipped off to join Lauren and the rest of the girls.
"Not interested then, Cassandra the Quiet?" Tyler laughed, teasing me. I felt my face colour slightly with embarrassment. Noticing my discomfort, Angela quickly came to my rescue, questioning Mike about the arrangements for Friday.
"Well, we can probably get away with taking my suburban and Tyler's van, but I'm sure Cassandra will want to take her beloved mini, so you and Jess could ride with her, if you can all fit in such a small space,"
"Small person, small car," I retorted, defending my precious little car. The others laughed and smiled openly back, feeling comfortable in the close little circle of people. A loud sigh interrupted the conversation as Lauren sank dramatically down to join us, followed by Jess and the others. I watched as they blushed and giggled over something I couldn't seem to grasp.
"He's SO interesting!" someone gasped, provoking further giggles from the other girls. I glanced briefly to where Edward Cullen was now sat alone, carefully placing a book into his immaculate leather shoulder bag. A ring of girls hovered near by, like flies to a lamp, all murmuring about how interesting he was.
I felt unfamiliar feeling rising in my chest, making me grit my teeth. Edward Cullen's presence frustrated me, my inability to grasp what was so great about him making me feel awkward, and the new female mantra of 'He's so interesting' grating against me like nails on a chalkboard. Edward Cullen had officially annoyed me.
"Time to go," I murmured, still gritting my teeth together in an attempt to keep my alien frustration at bay. I hated the way it made me feel, the way it made me think- I had to get away quick. I stood up sharply, grabbing my bag as Angela rose to follow me, as did Mike and Tyler. Angela squeezed my arm encouragingly as we entered the classroom before going to sit at the back of the room with Tyler.
I settled down into my usually seat at the front of the class, feeling calmer again in the absence of Edward Cullen and his swarm of once-girls who were now capable only of flicking their, batting their eyelids and remarking on how interesting he was. Mike came over to chat, leaning casually on my desk as we chatted idly, ignoring the rest of the class as they filed in. In a repeat of the morning, the conversation ended as Mr Banner called our attention, sending Mike scurrying back to his seat.
I twisted round to face, angling my self diagonally so I could comfortably face Mr Banner, when I noticed that the seat next to me wasn't empty. Instead, I was I greeted by a pair of curious green eyes. I blinked, good mood slipping suddenly.
It was Edward Cullen.
"Are you Cassandra Swan?" he asked, his eyes holding mine steadily. I blinked once, then nodded, finding myself suddenly unable to make much use of my voice under the intensity of his gaze. That same, crooked half smile crept across his perfect face.
"I'm Edward Cullen,"
"I know," I said sharply, cutting him off with uncharacteristic sharpness. It had taken everything I had to force 'I know', instead of 'I don't care' past my lips. I turned my face away from him, grateful for Mr Banner's decision to give us a lecture today, rather than an activity- I wouldn't be forced to interact with Edward and his stupid smile. I took notes absently, doodling in the corner of my page, letting my mass of curls slip over my shoulders as I lost focus in the lesson, my mind wandering to tonight. I had text Cam twice to remind him, but I still had a feeling that he would forget to come home in time.
As I pushed back a lock of hair that was fighting for freedom against my hat, I suddenly felt as if I was being watched. Not wanting to be obvious, I positioned my hair, so it veiled my face and looked up to find Edward Cullen watching me from the corner of his eye, pretending to take notes with a puzzled expression. Clearly, he hadn't noticed me watching him as he watched me. The room felt suddenly warm and stifling, and I could feel my cheeks burning a little. I pulled of my hat, letting my head breathe and shifted my hair so it fell over one shoulder. I looked down at my half completed notes and up at the clock, feeling suddenly anxious to be away from Edward Cullen and the stifling warmth of the classroom.
Each second seemed to take forever as itched with frustration, desperate to get out of the room. I was acutely aware that Edward Cullen was still watching me, making me irritated and uncomfortable. Dear lord, what was wrong with the clock? Why was it taking so long?
Finally, the bell rang- a call to freedom. I leapt from my seat, sweeping up my bag from the floor. Edward Cullen seemed to be talking at me, but I wasn't listening as I grabbed my coat, just mumbled something along the lines of a goodbye and bolted out the door.
Mike caught up with me just before I reached the Gym; slightly out of breathe from sprinting after me.
"What the hell got into you?" he demanded breathlessly. "Did he stab you with a pencil or something?"
I glared at him, doing my best to look scary. Mike pulled a face of mock fear, laughing as he turned off to the boys changing room. I changed quickly, eager to release my irritation on an unsuspecting tennis ball so that I could loose my foul mood and be Cassandra again, instead of some rabid version of her.
I felt lighter after the tennis session, smiling happily as Angela met me by the school entrance. I basked in the comfortable silence between us as we walked to the car, grateful for her warm presence. I noticed briefly a huge crowd was once again crowded round Edward Cullen. Ignoring it, I unlocked the driver's door of my car and slipped in, reaching over to unlock Angela's door as I did. I slung my bag in the back seat and was leaning over to retrieve my Ipod when somebody tapped on my window.
For the second time, I found myself unexpectedly face to face with Edward Cullen and his stupid grin. Reluctantly, I wound down the window.
"I need a lift," he explained, his face expectant. His voice was soft, with a distinct English accent that I hadn't noticed before.
"Why are you asking me?" I asked bluntly, looking over to the hoard of girls watching agape as Edward leaned against my tiny Mini.
"Well, you seem to be the only person not interested in me," he mused, his eyes glinting as they locked onto mine. I blushed a little despite myself, but kept my face impassive, not taking the bait. Embarrassment briefly flickered across his face.
"Oh. I just thought, since I'm staying with you, I'd be getting a lift with you,"
I blinked, stunned. I heard Angela gasp a little behind me as I stared at him, not understanding his meaning. Staying with me? What did he mean? Why would he be staying with me?
And then hit me- the British exchange student. Edward Cullen was our long awaited exchange student.
Lets be honest, most of you probably saw that coming didn't you? I know this idea has been done before but I had a dream like it and I really wanted to do this- I don't usually write fanfic you see. Also, this is why I have my own character (who is essentially me) instead of Bells- I love Bella, just so you don't think I'm a Bella hater!