Chapter Two: Titbits and trouble
Bella POV
Alice hopped in her car giving me a quick smile. She looked completely composed as if nothing had just worried her. Her clothes were immaculate as always. She was wearing a short button down dress and leggings with little ballet shoes. Her outfits were always eccentric and colourful. I was waiting for her to explain what had happened but very unlike her she was quiet in the car. Slowly reversing out of her driveway and playing with the Radio stations almost like she was avoiding a conversation about it. I didn't want to be pushy but my curiosity got the better of me.
"Alice what's happening? Who was that boy in your house?"
"What...? You met him?"
"Well yeah, I kind of did! He opened the door for me but then just left not saying anything?"
"Oh, that was Edward he's my cousin from Chicago. I'm sorry if he was rude to you or anything. I think he's just had a rough couple of days. I haven't seen him in over a year."
"Really?"
"Yeah he my Aunt and Uncle used to live in Seattle. They moved to Chicago a couple of years back so we don't get to see them as often as we used too. Look it's a bit of a long story Bella, I'll have to tell you more at lunchtime ok"
"Yeah, no worries"
We pulled up to the school and it had looked like most of people were already in class. Alice and I hoped out of the car quickly I waved to her as we went off in separate directions.
I half jogged to Biology hoping Mr Banner was in a good mood. I tried unsuccessfully to slip through the door unnoticed but the class were all quiet and listening to Mr Banner. Almost everyone's heads turned in my direction when I opened the door. I cringed as the door squeaked shut behind me.
"Glad you could join us Isabella!"
"Sorry Sir."
I went to walk to my usual spot next to Angela but it was taken by Mike Newton. I looked up to Mr Banner who was still staring at me.
"Isabella, the class has just been paired up you'll have to sit this one out on your own. I'd suggest next time you arrive to class on time!"
This was turning out to be an eventful day. Surprises and attention were not something I enjoyed. So I regretfully sat down at the spare desk in the back corner and started getting my books out of my bag. For the rest of class I was a model student, taking notes, not chatting, answering questions when I had too. I didn't want anything else to draw attention to me. The group work was to look at the phases of Mitosis through a microscope. Luckily I had already studied the text in advance so could easily recognise the stages. Having a partner would have just slowed me down. Reluctantly Mr Banner's congratulated me on finishing my work early but then reminded me that tardiness was rude and that I should show more respect for his class in future. I don't know why but Mr Banner seemed to have a case of tall poppy syndrome, always trying to knock down smarter students. He would ask them advanced questions that they would most likely get wrong just so he could feel superior. Although I was top of the class, his attention was normally elsewhere most likely because he knew I could give him the correct response.
Finally it was lunchtime, I walked into the cafeteria grabbing a tray and mindlessly filling it with food without even really processing what it was. After my morning I wasn't in the mood for eating my mind was elsewhere. I was still annoyed with Mr Banner and couldn't stop thinking about Edward. I walked over to our table and looked up to see Alice was already sitting down next to Jasper.
"Hey Guys!"
"Hey Bells" Jasper hollered with a grin.
"Jaz" I smiled and looked over at Alice she smiled sheepishly at me and patted the seat next to her. I couldn't help but feel bubbles of excitement that I was going to find out more about this boy. It was crazy I was having these feelings. Id barely even met the guy and already I was waiting with baited breath on news of him.
"Look Bells I know I said I'd fill you in, but there isn't too much to say. I don't even really know the full story yet." Alice started explaining as Jasper looked on he had obviously already heard the story. "Edward came over pretty early in the morning. Mum and Dad had already left for work. So I got a shock when I answered the door and he was just standing there all dishevelled looking. He had driven all the way from Chicago would you believe stopping at motels and stuff but basically driving straight. You were lucky you saw the post shower Edward the pre shower picture wasn't too pretty. Yik!"
I couldn't help the blush that crept in my cheeks trying to imagine Edward looking anything but perfect, I couldn't quite picture it. Seeing him this morning was like staring at a statue of Adonis. Whether it was a pre or post shower Edward, you couldn't change that masculine jaw line, or green penetrating eyes. Wow what was wrong with me, Focus Bella! Alice continued seemingly unaware of my most likely flushed face.
"He didn't tell me much, but I already knew from Dad that something was going down with Aunt Lizzy and Uncle Ed. I was still shocked when he rocked up at the house. He asked if he could stay at our place till things settle down with his olds and I told his it was all fine. So yeah basically he is going to be staying at my place."
"Wow Ok...?" I shook my head trying to absorb everything. I couldn't imagine leaving home like that not even calling in advance to let Carlisle and Esme know, just basically on the run. "Do you know how long he is going to staying with you?"
Alice shrugged "A couple of days or weeks, I'm not really sure"
Only a couple of Days? I felt a pang of pain shoot through my stomach. I tried to shrug it off not wanting to draw attention to myself.
"Sure, I was just curious you know. You sounded concerned on the phone I just wanted to make sure everything was alright."
"Yeah everything is fine Bells, you know us"
Alice smiled, but it wasn't the carefree smile I was use to almost like she was putting it on, it didn't reach her eyes.
"Huh sure Alice I know you guys, the Cullen's can handle anything, right!"
I smiled back at her. Angela and Ben walked over at that moment and sat down dragging us into a different conversation. Alice seemed to snap back to her usual self getting all animated, laughing and smiling like normal. I couldn't help but zone out thinking of Edward and what was happening with his family. Selfishly I felt relieved that my own family life was happy and simple. The only drama's Charlie and I ever faced was if we ran out of steak or bad TV reception for a football game.
The rest of the school day was like normal. Alice and I sat together through English but the subject of Edward wasn't brought up again. I pretended that I was no longer interested. I'm sure Alice would think it was weird if all of a sudden her best friend was taking an overly keen interest in her cousin. In reality I was fighting myself from just grabbing her shoulders and shaking out as much information as I could get from her.
We drove back home together. Alice was chatting about taking a shopping trip to Port Angeles and all the different fashion trends that were in style this season. She back tracked and changed the plans to Seattle because apparently even Port Angeles could be a damper on Alice's fashion spirit. Seattle had much more stores and variety. Then she switched back to Port Angeles because it was closer and we would have more time to get a pedicure or something while we were up there. I found myself nodding and agreeing to almost everything she was saying.
I looked out the window as soon as we turned onto our street and saw the silver car still sitting in the Driveway. Butterflies immediately twisted around in my stomach in anticipation. Maybe he would be outside, or Alice would invite me over. Usually I would just invite myself over but after this morning I assumed the Cullen's would want some privacy.
Unfortunately neither happened and before I knew it I was waving goodbye to Alice and walking back to my house feeling unsatisfied. As I was walking I got this strange gut feeling and couldn't help but look back at the Cullen's house. I noticed a shift in the study window like the curtains moved but couldn't be sure. It could have been my imagination or the wind. I sighed, kicking some gravel what was wrong with me.
