Author's Notes:
NEW VERSION: This is the new version after the changes suggested by the incredible ProjectTeamBeta beta, mcsc2008. She's awesome and she did a great job on this.
Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.
Chapter Two – You're Not Alone
The weekend with Charlie was really long so I actually looked forward to going to school Monday morning. He bought me a truck from Billy Black, a friend of his in La Push, so now I had human transportation. I loved the truck. It was an old classic, and despite it being loud, it was awesome to not have to worry about Charlie dragging me everywhere in his patrol car.
As I pulled away from the house, wincing internally at the noise the truck made, I smiled to myself. I cooked for Charlie all weekend and it became obvious that left to his own devices, his nutrition was seriously lacking. The man lived on pizza delivery, even though he had an entire freezer on the back porch filled with fish.
Charlie was insane for fishing, but it seemed that cooking it for himself was something that was almost beyond him. I offered to take over the kitchen, and he was relieved more than grateful, scarfing down the simple meals I made with the meager offerings of his kitchen. I planned on stopping at the market to pick up some groceries on the way home from school. If I was going to be feeding my father, he was going to eat things that were good for him. I felt like it was least that I could do to take care of him, to thank him for taking me in when I needed it so desperately.
I was deliberately early to school, wanting to get into the office and get my schedule before everyone started to arrive. I needed to explore the campus a little, learn where everything was, getting used to the smell of humans before I was surrounded by their delicious scents. It also wouldn't hurt to have a few escape routes worked out in case I needed to get some fresh air fast.
I parked in the staff parking lot and made my way into the office, walking up to the desk where a red-head woman was staffing the office. I cleared my throat to get her attention. She turned and looked at me and I could see her eyes widening and my smile faded as I introduced myself.
"I'm Bella Swan," I said softly, and I could see the recognition in her eyes. "This is my first day. My father said that I should already be enrolled?"
"Oh! Of course. I'm Ms. Cope. In fact, I have your schedule right here. We were expecting you this morning." She offered the papers across the desk toward me, smiling in welcome.
"The one on the top is your schedule. You need to have all your teachers sign the next one, indicating that you've checked in with them. The one on the bottom is a map of the campus so you don't get lost," Ms. Cope instructed me as she looked at me again, confusion in her eyes.
I noticed that humans often had that reaction to me now; they weren't sure that it was safe to be around me. They were right, it wasn't safe to be anywhere near me.
I took my schedule and smiled at her as I thanked her. I made some effort to try to look as non-threatening as possible and turned to go. I deliberately tripped over the non-existent threshold as I walked out the door, wanting to seem as frail and clumsy as I was in my human life. That seemed to help things somewhat in Phoenix.
Heading back out to my truck, I started it up again to move it into the student lot and took a moment to look down at my schedule. I memorized it instantly, one of the new benefits of my altered self; I never worried about forgetting anything. It looked like English was first and I frowned. The first thing I wanted to get my hands on was the book list. I hoped they had a more diverse reading requirement than the one at my prior school. I hated the thought of being forced into reading Mark Twain. His most popular works were acceptable to almost everyone; I just didn't like reading them. To me, he was a dirty old man. I was hoping that if they put me through that again, I could avoiding the re-read and recycle my essays from Phoenix; It wasn't cheating since I had already done the work.
I hopped out of my truck and I realized I was being far too graceful. I let my shoes catch on the asphalt as I walked toward the building I knew held the English department from the map, memorized at a glance. After a moment, I realized not only was everyone looking at me, but also at the pace I was walking, I probably didn't seem entirely human. The thought made me hesitate, and as I deliberately stumbled over a crack in the black top of the parking lot I caught a scent that made me stop entirely.
It was somewhat familiar and yet not. I wasn't used to running into things that smelled completely new, and this one had me totally baffled. It was sweet, not delicious like the people around me, and I was taken aback. I hated being the center of attention, and it was distracting me. I had to figure out what that scent was. I had no idea if it was something I should be worried about.
As I entered the classroom, I hung my coat on the pegs with everyone else's then turned to assess the classroom. It seemed standard for Forks, with a small anteroom right at the entry where wet outdoor things could be left before opening up into the larger portion. I went directly to the teacher to get my form signed and then picked a seat in the back where it wouldn't be so easy for everyone to constantly watch the new girl. I could see them from the corner of my eye, the other students; they were staring at me. Great. I was now center stage. I could hear the whispering across the room easily.
One of the boys sat down next to me and I turned my head to look at him. I tried to look surprised to see him there even though I easily heard him tell his friends that he was going to join me.
"Hi. I'm Mike Newton," he said with a broad smile, obviously trying to flirt.
"Bella Swan," I offered back reluctantly. I had no idea how I was going to fit in with these children, but for my parent's sake, I had to try – I just didn't feel like one of them anymore.
"Ah, the Chief's daughter," Mike stated as though everyone in the school didn't already know exactly who I was.
I gave him a slight toothless smile in response, as though impressed by his remarkable abilities at deduction. Thankfully, the teacher called the class to order and I didn't have to try to make nice anymore.
The next classes were Government, Trigonometry and Spanish; they were much the same. I was amused by the friendly and mostly well meaning students who walked up and introduced themselves. I actually met a few people that I was going to make an effort to try and befriend.
Throughout the morning, however, I kept catching hints of the scent I noticed in the parking lot. It wasn't always the same. In fact, there were five distinctive variances of it and it only served to make me more concerned.
By the time lunch hit, I was becoming tired of the human charade and the human males who were far too eager to make sure I knew who they were. I walked into the cafeteria with Jessica Stanley, a vivacious girl who wanted to make sure everyone saw her making nice with the new girl. I agreed to sit with her and her friends; it was better than sitting alone and drawing even more attention to myself.
I found soon after my transformation, my body didn't absorb human food and I needed to choke it up later. Still, it was easier than dealing with Renee or Charlie getting all suspicious about why I wasn't eating. It was evident to me, making some effort at consuming human food was necessary for the deception. I limited myself to a lemonade today, though, not up to the extreme of eating cafeteria food. That stuff was barely palatable when I was human and was only more disgusting now. I knew I was on edge already and figured that solid lumps of greasy pizza sitting uncomfortably in my stomach would not make things any easier.
I tripped over the table leg as I sat down and tried to make it look like I barely caught myself as I dropped into the chair. I noticed, without a thought, the students who joined us. Mike Newton was here, along with a couple of the other boys that made sure to introduce themselves to me: Eric Yorkie and Tyler Crowley. Several girls joined us, including Angela Weber and Lauren Mallory. Angela I liked; she seemed so sweet and uncomplicated and genuinely welcoming when I met her in one of my earlier classes. Lauren glared at me openly. I thought she probably didn't appreciate all the attention I was getting from the boys. I would have loved to tell her that she was welcome to them, but figured that probably wasn't the best way to blend in with the human teenager persona I was working for.
There was a flurry of talking as everyone recapped their weekend: the assignments they were working on, upcoming tests. There was a spring dance everyone was excited about and that seemed to be the major discussion for the girls. It was a girl's choice dance and all but Angela seemed more worried about what to wear rather than whom to ask. The boys kept nudging each other and looking at me, speculating in their own way on the dance. The main whispering was about who they thought I would ask. Well, wouldn't it surprise them all if they knew I had no intention of going?
I was a menace of a klutz as a human and I saw no reason to act as though I was anything else now: hence the deliberate tripping. It was easier for everyone if I tried to be the human I used to be as much as possible. Avoiding dances had been my way of protecting the other students, and I was happy to continue that illusion, though my reasons were different now.
Jessica was in the middle of catching me up on the local girl's choice traditions for dance invitations as the cafeteria door opened and another group of students entered.
I was assailed by the same fragrances that concerned me earlier, but now those scents were fresh. I now knew the explanation for the differences I noticed. There were five of these students and therefore, five unique versions of the scent.
My eyes widened and I dropped my head. I hid my reaction behind the curtain of my hair. I left down today just for this purpose - hiding when I wanted no one to see my face.
"Who are they?" I whispered to Jessica softly, my head tilting toward the other students as they entered the lunch line and grabbed trays. My eyes took in the clues, so obvious to my new eyes; they were no more human than I.
"Oh, that's the Cullens," Jessica answered, finally grateful that I was looking to her for the local gossip. They stood out so much that no one at the table seemed surprised by my curiosity. "They're Dr. Cullen's children. Some of them are actually adopted, but the two blonde ones – they're twins – they're just foster kids." Jessica added with the air of someone imparting something particularly juicy.
She leaned toward me, the scent of her blood wafting right into my face and causing me to stiffen in pain from the burning.
"The big one, Emmett, he's 'with' the blonde, Rosalie," Jessica gestured with her hands, trying to be discrete, but she might as well be waving huge colored flags in the air. "The little black haired one, Alice, she's 'with' Jasper, the tall blonde guy, the one who always looks like he's eaten something sour."
Jessica was more than delighted to offer this apparently scandalous tidbit, as her eyes twinkled in malicious delight.
"I can't believe their parents allow it. They all live in the same house, you know, like siblings. It's kinda gross if you think about it," Jessica added with the fervent tone of someone willing to take anyone else down for her own benefit.
I was amused by the logic of her human teenage mind; Jessica was sure they were sleeping together. I glanced over at the four she described and the way they interacted with each other. I couldn't hold back a small smile. Jessica was probably right, at least about the big guy and the blonde bombshell.
My eyes moved over the Cullen family again as I pushed my hair out of my eyes. As I glanced at the fifth Cullen, I focused on the one that didn't seem to be attached at the hip to one of the women. My eyes stopped there and I couldn't bring myself to look away. I was held in place suddenly as his head turned and his eyes met mine. Elizabeth Browning's words came to me again:
The face of all the world is changed, I think,
Since first I heard the footsteps of thy soul
"What about the other one?" I shook off the strange feeling as I turned to look at Jessica. I was surprised at how much I needed to hear her answer.
"Oh him. That's Edward Cullen. He's too good for any of the girls in this school," Jessica replied haughtily. I wondered when he shot her down. There was an edge of anger to her voice that didn't surprise me as much as amuse me.
I had to work to not let any amusement show on my face at Jessica's distain. I was distracted enough that I lifted my head and glanced back at the table where the Cullens gathered. My eyes skimmed over the couples and stopped at the younger looking one, the one Jessica identified as Edward, my eyes met his once again.
I saw him as clearly across the room as if he were standing right in front of me. Suddenly, the color of his eyes struck me. They were a warm, rich liquid brown: the color of honey – creamy and welcoming. My eyes widened in surprise and I focused in closer on his amazing eyes, looking for the line where the contact lens should be – the one that hid crimson irises from the masses. I couldn't find it.
Where I had been initially fascinated, now I was confused and I looked away quickly. My fascination turned to fright as the reality of the situation struck me hard. There were vampires in Forks and I found them. The last vampire I met killed me and I couldn't be sure these five wouldn't do their best to finish the job. I wasn't sure if I wasn't going to be dead for real very soon.
I deliberately lifted the bottle, drinking some of the lemonade in front of me. It took me some effort to consume the half of the bottle I already drank and I was grateful as the bell rang. Everyone at my table stood and gathered their things to go to class.
I fell into step with Mike since he was in my next class and offered to show me the way. As I rose, I tilted my head to the side, trying to observe the table where the Cullens were sitting without being obvious about it. I noticed that Edward was still watching me, Alice's hand on his arm. His head was tilted slightly toward her as though he were listening to her say something to him. I grew more confused, it was an odd posture since she hadn't said anything aloud.
As I walked into the Biology classroom, I left Mike and went right to the front to have the teacher sign my form. My mind kept looping over the same sentence over and over and over again: There were vampires in Forks and I found them. I wasn't sure how to hide from them, especially as we were attending the same school.
I was desperately confused. Why would vampires, other than me, torture themselves by attending high school? Nevermind the fact that high school itself is torture – the burning thirst was leaps and bounds worse than that. What would make the burning worth it? Mostly, I wanted to know how they hid their eyes without the contacts I relied upon.
The biology teacher, Mr. Banner, signed my form and gestured me toward an empty table near the back as he handed me a book. My lab partner wasn't here yet, but I hardly took notice. The fan in the front next to the teacher's desk was blowing the scent of fresh human blood over me repeatedly, making the burn in my throat consuming.
I sat down, gathering my notebook and a pen from my backpack, ready to take notes like everyone else. It must appear as though I have a horrible and imperfect memory, I reminded myself as I opened my notebook. I took comfort in the moment, the familiar actions of the human charade.
I felt my lab partner sit down as the fan turned to blow on the other half of the room. The scent of one of the vampires hit me fresh and hard and I looked up in utter shock as Edward Cullen sat down next to me, his eyes meeting mine.
"Hello," he said in that softly musical voice that was so very similar to the one that I heard from myself, though his voice was deep and rich. I barely contained a shiver of delight at the sound of it. "I'm Edward Cullen," he continued in a formal tone.
I stared at him, not sure how I should respond to him. I didn't really expect him to attack me in the middle of class, but I didn't know if he wasn't just waiting until afterward. After school, perhaps?
"Bella Swan," I responded after a moment, my voice husky with my uncertainty, and frankly, fear.
Mr. Banner stood just then, calling the class to order, and the fan turned again. It was blowing right on me and I stiffened, holding my breath. The teacher was standing right in front of the fan, blowing the concentrated smell of his blood directly toward me. I looked away from Edward in an effort to bolster my control.
"The chief's daughter?" Edward said after the fan turned away again. He had been quiet during the most difficult moments for me and his voice was full of surprise when he spoke again. My eyes darted to him again quickly.
I gave him a short nod, afraid to speak as the bloodlust was still flooding my mind.
"You're Chief Swan's daughter?" Edward asked again. His voice was soft, deliberately not drawing the attention of the teacher as his eyes took in the things that humans didn't see or didn't want to see: the too pale to be human skin, the hint of red under the obvious line of dark contacts, the inhuman grace hidden by feigned clumsiness.
"Yes," I answered as I found my voice again, my control strengthened for the moment. I returned his look with mock boldness.
His eyes met mine, and the look in them hardened perceptively. I could see his eyes take in the amount that the contacts had faded just in the time we were talking. His vampire eyes would be able to discern the slight difference in shading. Then his voice dropped, too softly for humans to hear.
"How old are you, Bella Swan?" his voice was stiff and on the edge of threatening.
I took in another deep breath, a stress reaction. I was now struggling with the urge to race from the room at inhuman speed and disappear again. I realized that Forks was no longer safe for me. My sanctuary, my last chance at living a human life, was gone. I couldn't answer, I had no idea why he wanted to know how old I was. Wasn't it obvious? I was in high school for heaven's sake.
"How old are you?" He repeated once more as his hand shot out. He grabbed onto my upper arm as I shifted my weight in preparation to flee if it was necessary. A shiver shot through my spine and I became aware that it wasn't entirely fear I felt at his touch.
I thought I could pull away if I tried. He wasn't holding me that hard, but I didn't want to draw more attention to myself. I was already the center of attention – the new kid in school in a very small town.
"Seventeen," I offered hesitantly, just as softly as he had. I could hear the confusion that was now obvious in my voice. I sacrificed the ability to cover my reactions as I took a stronger hold on the stronger urges, the fight or flight ones.
"Are you really?" Surprise echoed in his tone as the confusion had in mine.
"Yes." Did he expect me to lie?
His hand tightened on my arm, and I glanced at the front of the room to see if the teacher noticed anything. He was completely oblivious and Edward seemed to be careful about what he was doing in order to avoid notice. He hid his hold on me behind the curtain of my own hair.
"How long have you been seventeen, Bella Swan?" he asked again, and it suddenly became obvious to me what he was asking.
My eyes lifted back to Edward Cullen's gorgeous honey-colored eyes, and they were fierce. Dangerous. I was too frightened not to answer.
"Since my birthday last fall," I answered honestly and then took an unnecessary bracing breath. I decided to answer the question he wanted answered, instead of the roundabout one that he actually asked. "I have been like this for two months," I whispered almost too softly for his enhanced hearing to hear and far too fast for human ears, even if it were loud enough.
His hand tightened on me even further, his eyes widening in surprise before he turned abruptly to the front and his expression cleared. He suddenly looked as innocently human as I figured it was possible for him to look.
"The Krebs Cycle," he answered the question that Mr. Banner asked without any hesitation at all. If I were human still, I would have blushed. I had been so absorbed in our discussion that I didn't notice we'd drawn the teacher's attention, though I was quite aware of the need to not do so.
The lecture continued and Edward still didn't release me. After Mr. Banner was completely focused elsewhere again, he leaned slightly in my direction; he returned the conversation where we left off a few minutes earlier. His voice was too soft, too fast for human ears.
"We're going to take this discussion out to the parking lot after class. Do not draw attention to yourself. You seem to have done well enough today so far." Edward's voice was low and threatening.
He made it clear that unless I was actually fast enough to get away, I was going to do just what he said. His hold on me made sure that I understood his meaning exactly. I nodded my agreement and he finally let me go. My arm throbbed where I could still feel the imprint of his fingers, but as I sensed his eyes remain on me, I felt a shiver that wasn't fear slide down my spine.
My outward focus was directed toward the teacher again. I tried to look like I was paying attention to the lecture, though I bit on my lower lip nervously. I could not help but stiffen when the fan blew directly in my face time after time, increasing the burn those seconds it was directly on me.
I did not like the way I felt. The last time I was this frightened, I was bleeding out on the desert floor as my attacker and his companion raced away and laughing in delight, sure that I would shortly be dead. This feeling of fear strained against my will, urges arose that made me want to react in ways that I was desperate to suppress. Fear wasn't the only thing I felt when his attention was focused directly on me, I admitted to myself, but it was by far overriding.
I let my head drop slightly and I brushed my hair forward to hide my face from Edward's perceptive gaze. I doodled on the notebook in front of me, paying attention to the lecture in a less dominant portion of my mind.
My thoughts kept going back to my parents. I arrived three days and I was going to have to leave again. It was that or the Cullen siblings were going to kill me. They surely weren't going to share their territory with me, even if I was careful to only drink the blood of animals. That would likely appear downright insane to them.
I was going to have to disappear – for real this time. Renee would lose it. Charlie would likely head up the search to find me. I didn't want to do this to my parents. They went through enough two months ago when I was missing after the attack. How could things possibly get worse?