Chapter 2. New watcher

..........................

The sound of the pounding rain woke me from my dreams. My eyes blinked rapidly, prepared to adjust to the light, but there really was no point; it was dull and gray. Nothing at all compared to bright and sunny Phoenix.

With a groan I heaved myself up from my bed and straight away I tripped over one of my boxes.

My body made a loud thump as it connected with the hard wooded floor. Ow that hurt, you'd think I'd be used to hurting myself, be used to the pain that comes with me, but it still takes me of guard every single time.

I worried that I might have woken up Charlie but I didn't have to worry, I heard his loud snores drift from across the landing.

Jesus Christ how the hell did I sleep through the sheer volume of his snores? Groaning I heaved myself to my feet, this time scanning the floor for any other boxes that were waiting to trip me up. I knew I should of finished unpacking my things last night, but truth be told I got bored. It was bad enough that I spent three hours neatly packing.....well not so much neat but still, how was I supposed to spend three hours unpacking without getting bored?

Oooh speaking of boredom I'm supposed to go and find my new watcher today, so he can get me updated with the goings on in this town.

You see I'm a vampire slayer, albeit a very clumsy, messy, tiny slayer. But I'm a slayer none the less. In a way I'm glad I've moved as it will be so much easier to keep this from Charlie than it was from Renee.

I hope this Giles I think his name is. I hope he's got good weapons, I somehow burnt my other ones in a fit of rage, when I found out I had to move to the smallest place in America. I still don't know how I managed to melt the metal ones.

I ambled into the bathroom that I had to share with Charlie, and noticed that he had cleared a couple of shelves for me. That was sweet of him. I took a shower and let the hot water relax my aching muscles. My old watcher Andrew saw fit to train me to within an inch of exhaustion, just before I had to leave. His exact words were 'train is to gain' gah I hated that phrase. If Giles even mentions it once I'll beat him up.

After I finished my human moments- I always laugh at that as I started to call it that after I fought with vampires for the first time. I mean come on vampires don't really have very good hygiene what with them being dead and all. That and most of them smell.

I walked back into my bedroom towel drying my hair. There really is no point in drying it properly if I have to go out in that. I looked out of my window and saw the rain had gotten heavier. With a sigh I fumbled through one of my clothes boxes and threw on my black jogging bottoms and a black Lycra tight vest. Not my ideal choice of clothing but Andy always said that it's much easier to fight in tighter clothing as it doesn't get in your way, but I still reckon that he perved on me.

I glanced at my reflection and sighed as I took in my plain features. My plain brown, waist length hair, my plain brown eyes and my plain features. I was so easily lost in a crowd, I have no outstanding features to make me stand out, and I've always blended in. With a final sigh I walked down the stairs.

'Creack' I winced at the sound of the steps as I stepped on them and stupidly I shushed them, like that's going to help I scolded myself. I really could be stupid most of the time....well alright all of the time.

I listened again and heard the loud saw, I mean snores. Charlie was still asleep, I mentally wiped my forehead. I didn't fancy talking to Charlie right now; I'm really not in the mood.

As I reached the kitchen I took in the vaguely familiar design. He really doesn't like change.

As a nice gesture, I decided to cook Charlie pancakes and got to work in mixing the batter and frying them on the stove.

After ten minutes I heard his thumping footfalls and knew that the smell had woke him up. Of all the things to wake you up? I mumbled out a good morning and placed the stack of pancakes and maple syrup on the table for Charlie to eat.

"Thanks Bells" he said around a mouthful of pancake. I wrinkled my nose in disgust and sat down opposite him eating a banana.

"Why aren't you having any?" again he said around the pancakes

God close your mouth, swallow, then talk I mentally said " I'm not that hungry, but you go on ahead, I made them for you" I hope he couldn't tell I lied. In truth I was nearly salivating for them, but I really did not want to punch, and kick and do karate with my stomach full of pancakes and maple syrup.

Glancing at the clock I noticed it was eight, I had to meet Giles at nine. It would take a good forty-five minutes I reckoned to get to Forks High.

I pushed out my chair and winced as it scraped across the tiles.

"Well, I'm off to explore. I'll see you later Charlie" I rushed my words and I knew I sounded all too eager to leave.

If he was hurt, he didn't show it. Instead he just told me to be careful.

Just as I reached the door and pulled on my trainers I heard him yell "Make sure you're back by three I have a surprise for you"

I groaned softly, I hate surprises "Okay will do" I forced out, and with that I tore out the front door and let out a breath as I heard it shut behind me.

I looked around at the scenery and my eyes were asluted by all the green, was that the only colour that resided here?

I jogged along the road, taking in the silence of the morning, except for the rain falling, which indecently was already soaking my clothes.

"Why did I bother taking a shower" I mumbled out loud as I gained an easy rhythm on the pavement, step, breathe, step. That's how it went till I registered a big white, well grey sigh declaring that I had reached my destination;

Forks High.

I slowed into a walking pace and stepped into the front building of the school. It looked so small compared to my old one, it didn't even look like a real school; just a bunch of houses squashed together. The door creaked as I slowly pushed it open, the sound echoed off the hallway.

"Right, the library, where are you?" I said as I walked down the corridor

I should have brought a map of the school, but it wasn't that big. It wouldn't take me long to find it.

After I opened my twentieth door I sighed in relief as I took in all the bookcases in the large room.

"Found you" I mumbled and stepped all the way in.

"Hello" my voice was cautious as I called out; just in case a vampire was ready to launch itself on me.

When I received no reply I continued into the room until I saw a large oak table next to a couple of small stair cases.

I saw an axe on top of the old dusty books and nearly squealed in glee. I picked it up and gracefully, well as gracefully as I could with an axe, began swinging it through the air in the way Andy taught me. My eyes fluttered closed as I took in the sound of the blade cutting through the air.

"Having fun" the voice startled me and caused me to drop the axe, and me to stumble and land on my backside, nearly on top of the blade.

I felt heat rising in my cheeks and I let my wavy, damp hair fall in front of my face.

"Umm, I'm sorry, I just couldn't resist. I lost all my weapons and wanted to hold one again" I mumbled as I remained on the floor, knowing that I would most likely slip and fall back down, this time onto the blade.

I heard shoes squeaking on the floor and saw them stop just in my line of sight. They were extremely polished.

Slowly I looked up, taking in the suit trousers, the suit jacket and finally the face of an amused, but confused man.

"Isabella Swan?" I heard him speak

"Um, it's Bella" I mumbled taking in his dark brown hair, dark eyes and circular glasses. He looked every bit of the librarian; is this my new watcher?

"Are you Giles?" I hesitantly asked, glancing at his face.

"Yes I am" that's when I recognised his accent and without thinking I blurted it out "Your English" instantly I slapped my forehead in my stupidity.

I heard him chuckle, it was rich and deep. I wonder how old he was? He looked like Charlie's age.

"Are you going to remain on the floor all day?" he simply stated acting as if I just didn't blurt out my previous question.

Again I felt my face heating up even more, I don't even think I've stopped blushing since I landed on the floor.

"Well I don't plan too, but could you help me up? Cause if I try to get up by myself I know I'll slip and fall onto the pretty axe" 'pretty axe'? Why do I even bother to talk?

I saw a hand extend in front of my face and gladly grabbed onto it. He hauled me up and picked up the axe at the same time and placed it on the table again.

"I take it your the Slayer" it was more of a statement than a question I could tell by his tone.

"I take it your my Watcher" I shot back, I refused to become any more embarrassed than I was

"Yes I am" he extended his hand out to me "Rupert Giles, your Watcher" I took his hand and shook it, a small smile tugged on my face "Bella Swan, your Slayer" we broke the handshake off and simultaneously sat down across from each other at the table.

"Andrew told me all about you" he stated simply, his arms crossed as he leaned back in the wooden chair.

I winced, they were bound to be not very pretty stories "That I'm the worst Slayer alive" I said in a defeated tone while I let my head fall onto my crossed arms on the table.

I shouldn't be surprised that Andy already told him what I was like, it was probably to warn him as to how bad I actually am. I mean really who's ever heard of a clumsy, accident prone, scared of blood Slayer? It took me a minute to realise he was speaking to me and the snapping of his fingertips next to my ear, jerked me out of my thoughts.

I grinned sheepishly at him, while yet again I let my hair create a curtain around my face.

I glanced at him through my hair and noticed how he pinched the bridge of his nose, probably in aspiration. Already he was sick of me. Immediately that depressed me. I really wanted to make a good impression as well.

I let out a huge sigh and noticed that he was talking again.

"Shall I repeat myself for the third time?" He asked me, I threw him an apologetic look and concentrated on listening to him.

When he noticed that I was fully paying attention he ploughed on.

"As I said before" here he threw me an eye roll "I was saying that he told me that you are the strongest and most powerful slayer of our time. He told me how when you put your mind to it, you can do anything" my heart swelled at the words that Andrew used "Andrew also told me that you are easily distracted, really temperamental and emotional and extremely uncoordinated" and my heart sank. Trust Andy to say that, I should of saw it coming, but no I didn't. Stupid Andy and his stupid truths and I realised I was zoning out again! So I focused on Giles, hoping he hadn't noticed.

But he's not called a Watcher for nothing. Of course he noticed. I've just about proved all my faults, well except my emotions, except for embarrassment of course, but that doesn't count, I show it nearly every minute.

I watched as he took off his glasses and wiped them before placing them back onto his face.

"I take it I don't have to give the big Watcher speech" he stated in a relieved tone?

"No! I've heard it one too many times, it's boring and way too long, I mean there's only so much of hearing that I was born to kill I can take" I knew I was whining, but no way in hell (no pun intended) was I going to sit through an three hour long tirade about demons and bloody vampires and again no pun intended.

"Yes, I do agree it is rather long winded" he stated in his posh, English accent.

I looked at him in disbelief "Long winded? That speech lasts longer than my hair!" I knew it was stupid to get this worked up and I knew I was proving that I was emotional and temperamental.

I noticed his amusement and instantly felt frustrated. What on earth was he looking so amused about? Me? My mind practically screeched. With a sigh I realised that he was probably amused at my over the top reaction.

I slowly sank back into my chair. When did I get out of it?

"Right about when you said 'Long winded'" he stated

Huh? How did he know what I was thinking?

"I noticed your confusion"

"Okay that's creepy" I stated slowly. He can't read minds can he?

"No I can't"

Okay this is seriously weird. I picked up the nearest book and placed it in front of my face in hopes that he wouldn't be able to tell what I was thinking.

I heard his deep chuckle and I knew I was probably acting stupid, but I'm seriously weirded out.

Sighing I placed the book onto the table and looked him in the eyes.

"Don't do that ever again. It's creepy" I stated with a huff.

.....................................

So what do you think???? I know nothing much goes on in this chapter but it's hard in getting it going. Is it too long???? Please read and review. I seriously need feedback on whether I should continue or not.