Disclaimer: I don't own a damn thing.
*Hey! This was supposed to be updated the day after the first chapter, but I had a nice welcoming present to the website. Some author stole my story the DAY AFTER I POSTED IT! Along with a few other stories. Apparently it wasn't her first time doing so. I didn't want to update for her to just keep taking it and getting credit. But she has been taken down, thank you Jesus. And thank you to everyone who reviews, favorited and alerted. It made my day!
2. The Blessing and the Curse
The next day was better…and worse.
When I got home from school yesterday, Mom took me shopping for some new clothes. We hadn't really thought about the kind of attire I would need for rainy Forks, so I only had a few things that were suitable for the weather. Of course, when Mom took me shopping, she went way overboard, and now I had a closet full of stylish sweaters, skinny jeans, beanies and boots. I wasn't really one for fashion - or shopping in general, but new clothes always seemed to make me feel more confident, so I wasn't complaining.
It felt like I was treading water now, instead of drowning in it - literally. The rain decided to take a break from its all night assault, and I was able to sleep without continuously waking up from the constant pitter-patter of raindrops on my window. The dryness lasted into the next day, thank God.
School was easier now that my new girl fame had died down some. I had gained a few followers but it was more flattering than annoying now. Being a girl, I like to know that I am not repulsive - like one jerk had me believing. Mike didn't find me repulsive in the least. I haven't decided if that is a good or bad thing yet. Only time will tell. He met up with me when I arrived at school, sat with me in English, and walked me to my next class. If he didn't check me out every few seconds, he'd be a great friend. I am not so opposed to the idea of someone liking me; I just cannot handle the constant eye contact. It's unnerving.
I sat with a big group of people in lunch and it really wasn't that bad. I learned their names and even began to like them. I had made more acquaintances in one day than I had in my whole seventeen years - pre-Forks.
It was worse because I was freaking exhausted, even without the rain waking me up all night. Dad seemed to think it was okay to keep me up all night to play monopoly. Like I said, that guy is batshit crazy and he barely even tries to hide it. I had agreed to play one game with him, but I soon learned Dad is a sore loser and wouldn't stop until he won; he never did - until I let him, that is. Then he proceeded to throw his victory in my face for about half an hour. He may be one crazy son of a mother, but you gotta love the guy. He's got more personality than Ellen.
It was worse because Mrs. Gonzalez called on me in Algebra when my hand wasn't raised and I had the wrong answer. Like, way wrong. I don't even think my answer was math related. I also think Mrs. Gonzalez doesn't like me. I have no idea why, but I don't stress over it.
And my day was damn miserable because apparently, Gym class moves periods from day-to-day, and when I finally got there with a beat-red face, Coach Clapp made me participate in playing badminton. The one time I didn't run out of the way of the ball, I ended up banging my racket into Laurens head. And Lauren was not happy about it.
At all.
It took four girls and Coach Clapp's whistle to keep her from beating the crap out of me. And all I could do was say, "Sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry!" while I used my racket as a shield from her flying fists and feet. It was pretty brutal, but it took second place to what I saw when I entered Biology.
Nothing.
I saw nothing.
Edward wasn't in and for some reason that both bothered and elated me. For the life of me, I couldn't figure out why I was upset about it. He is a complete asshole and a granny chaser. Not to mention, he is freaking terrifying. And I don't mean, "Shit! I forgot to study for the math test" kind of terrifying. I mean, "Godzilla is fast approaching and I have a broken leg" kind of terrifying.
I was beyond happy when I didn't see Alice in class, but Edward being absent hit a nerve. Maybe because I thought I was to blame for him not being there. And that thought just ended up ticking me off.
What the fuck did I do? And why the fuck would I give a care? 'Fuck' isn't a word I use loosely, so I knew my frustration was boiling over.
I sighed and dragged my feet all the way to my seat, with Mike in tow. He was telling me about some trip he and his friends were taking to a popular beach, but I only heard every other word. Because my mind was too busy badmouthing that jerk face, Edward.
I should be freaking ecstatic that he isn't in school, because the more I thought about our little encounter the day before, the more aware I became to the menace and threats he threw at me.
"Count your blessings. They're about to run out." If that isn't a threat, then I don't know what is. Then there was the look in his eyes when I walked in on him hitting on Ms. Cope. I'm still not fully sure either of those events even happened. They seemed so unreal.
"…it's gonna be a blast." I tuned back in to Mikes one-sided conversation just in time to see him smile excitedly at me, his eyebrows raised almost to his hairline.
"Oh, that's great, Mike," I said even though I really didn't have a clue what he was going on about.
"Yeah!" he said enthusiastically, even adding in a fist pump. I couldn't help but chuckle lightly at the sight.
"Alright," Mr. Banner called the class to attention as he strode in with a pile of thin paperback books. "Everyone get to your seats, we've got a lot to cover and not much time."
Mike threw a wistful smile at me before walking to a seat near the front. He sat down next to a cute girl with a bad perm. It looked like I would be forced to do something about Mike. I liked him and everything, but I am not looking for a relationship. I know nothing about guys, and frankly, I really don't want one. At least not right now. Getting through high school and into a good college are my only priorities, and I don't want Mike thinking any differently. But I would cross that bridge later rather than sooner. I am a born procrastinator on top of all my other issues.
The extra table space turned out to be a good thing. Mr. Banner thought it was smart to pile on us a million things. And all this crap, just to learn about cell anatomy - something I knew all too much about already. But the extra space just kept reminding me of Edward. Maybe it was ridiculous and egotistical of me to believe that I was the reason he and his sister weren't in school today. I mean, really. How could I affect someone so strongly? It made no sense whatsoever. But the nagging suspicion was there nonetheless. He did react very strongly to my mere presence.
First, in the lunchroom, he had smiled at me, like, really smiled. Everything else seemed to disappear with that one smile. Then, in Bio, he acted as if I were a walking disease, and then proceeded to get all up in my diseased space and threaten me. And I don't even want to touch on what the hell happened in the office.
How could I not think this way? That I am the reason he isn't in school?
I sighed and massaged my temples as the teacher started to write on the board.
Damn Edward… Making me think of him.
How pathetic am I? Stressing over some asshat that I only just met. So what if he is disgusted my me? So-freaking-what? He is nothing at all to me.
Time to get over it!
"Bella?" A hand shot out in front of my face.
"CRAP!" I screamed.
"SHIT!" Mike jumped back from me and laughed.
"We gotta stop meeting like this," he joked lamely.
I looked around the room and noticed that it was almost empty now aside from Mr. Banner and a few strays packing up their things. Once again, Edward had made me miss an entire class. And he wasn't even there!
I huffed and started packing my things while Mike just stood there with his hands deep in his pockets and watched me curiously. When I finally packed all my stuff up - all the things handed out during class making my backpack really heavy - I slung it over my shoulder gracelessly and almost tipped over. Mike shot his arm out quickly and wrapped it around my waist, bringing our faces close together.
"Uh…thanks," I said awkwardly, subtly trying to remove myself from his tight embrace, but he wasn't letting go. His breath smelled like the pasta served at lunch. And that damn pasta didn't smell that appealing to begin with.
"No problem," he breathed and I had to turn my head to keep from upchucking all over him.
A loud banging from outside the window made Mike pull away from me so quickly, I nearly fell face first, but thankfully caught myself on the chair. I whipped my head around to see what had caused the racket, but I saw nothing. Nothing but the woods outside the classroom.
"Shit! I'm so sorry, Bella!" Mike grabbed my hand and hauled me back up, only this time, he let me go right away. He shoved his hands deep into his pockets again and stared at the window with a frightened expression.
"What the heck was that?" I asked somewhat breathlessly.
"Uh, I…I'm not really sure," he said slowly, eying the glass warily as if it was about to attack.
"Is some-?"
"What in Gods name is going on back there?" I was cut off by Mr. Banner rushing down the gap between the tables. He looked positively livid. his dark face was lit up a fiery red and his thin lips were puckered as he visibly shook with tension.
"What was that noise? Does this look like a playground? Get to class!" he yelled at both of us angrily. I blushed furiously and practically ran out of the room. Never had I ever been berated by anyone. I didn't like it. Thank God the day was over, I was ready to collapse from all the excitement.
I speed walked all the way to my truck. Mike had a hard time keeping up; especially since he kept glancing over his shoulder at the side of the building we just came out of, as if he was scared something was after us. That just made me all the more nervous.
Being a girl prone to panic attacks, this wasn't a good thing.
I wondered what the heck caused that noise and why Mike looked so scared by it as I picked up my pace. I hopped into my truck but couldn't close the door since Mike was standing right there with a torn look on his face.
"Real sorry about that," he chuckled, scratching his neck uncomfortably.
"That's okay," I said quickly and gave him a tightlipped smile. "But what was that noise?" I couldn't fight the curiosity building inside of me even though I just really wanted to get home and spend some time with my mom before she left. Phil has been throwing a bitch-fit since she's been gone, so her stay in Forks will be even shorter.
Mike looked back at the building before taking a step closer to me and saying in a low voice, "I'm not entirely sure, Bella. But…I thought I saw…I mean, it just looked like…," he trailed off, his brow crinkling in confusion.
"What? What was it?" My curiosity was peaked. I needed to know what had him looking so frightened a moment ago to confused now. What the hell did I miss?
"You know?" he laughed.
"For the life of me, I can't remember what the fuck I saw." He laughed again and shook his head. He turned around and started walking to his car without even a backward glance at me. All I could do was follow him with my eyes while my mouth hung open in stunned silence.
I shook my head and pulled my legs into the cab of my truck. "Kay… that was weird," I muttered as I closed my door and started the engine. I didn't pull out of the parking lot though. I was too confused and aggravated to drive. I just leaned back in my seat and stared dumbly at my pink key as it stuck out from the ignition.
For some unknown reason, Edward popped into my mind. The terror I had seen in Mikes eyes yesterday when we were talking about Edward, was the same terror - only maximized tenfold - in his eyes when he looked out the Bio window to see what had caused the racket.
Maybe… No.
Crazy. I scoffed. I am going freaking crazy. I knew it would happen sooner or later. I shook my head and looked at my reflection in the rearview mirror incredulously as I finally backed out of my parking space.
"Bella, you are a chip off the old block," I muttered. Figures I'd end up being a lunatic. Charlie and Renée are known for being two of the craziest people to ever have lived in Forks. And not just because they got married when they were eighteen. No, their crazy goes far, far past that.
I guess they would take a backseat to those loons… Edward and Alice.
I groaned out loud, tightening my hold on the wheel. I was spending far too much time thinking about a guy I just met, never talked to, and I am pretty sure he hates me. But, for some damn reason, he occupies some part of my mind. Like, he is always there, in my mind like some ever-present shadow - or tumor - and I can't get rid of him.
I drove home, still half-thinking about that boy, and it was no time at all when I pulled into the driveway. It was empty. Dad was probably at work and Mom, well, Mom will stay away from this house as much as she can.
I sighed as I climbed out of the cab of Betty - the name I decided to give my car. Usually I wasn't one to name cars, but this one had too much character to go without one. Besides, Betty just fit.
I passed right by the kitchen even though my stomach was grumbling rather violently, begging to be fed. There was no food in there anyway, aside from some moldy peaches. I was saving going shopping for food for when Mom left. It would give me something to do. Until then, takeout or diner food would just have to suffice.
I set my book bag down on my bed and slipped out of my dark purple converse. I slid into my desk chair and fired up my ancient computer. As I waited for it to boot up - the damn thing was so old, it'd take forever - I lazily scanned my eyes around my room. Aside from my desk, my room was pretty bare. I had one thin, tall bookshelf full to the max, a twin bed with purple satin comforters and a wicker hamper next to my small closet. It was kind of a sad sight and not homey at all. All of my things were still packed away in boxes, shoved in my closet. I had band posters, pictures, a corkboard, wall decals that spelled out my name and shelves stored away.
All the things a young girl needs to make herself at home.
Just as I was contemplating putting a few things up, my eyes caught sight of something odd and out of place. I scrunched up my face in confusion and walked over to my closet. I felt all the color drain from my face and my breathing sped up when I saw what looked to be a giant handprint dented into the wood of the doorframe just above where my hamper sat. Little pieces of the tan wood were scattered all over my dirty clothes and on the floor. I could very easily make out five long, slender fingers. It looked as if someone had grabbed onto the frame for support by the way the handprint dented in deeper near the tips of the fingers.
Dad… Dad did it, I rationalized with myself.
My breathing slowed, but the blood didn't return to my face. I was wondering how he had managed to make a dent with his hand, thinking that he started taking steroids, when I was startled out of my mind by a loud keening sound coming from my computer. I rushed over to it as the screensaver brightened up. My screensaver was a simple picture of me, Bree and Riley.
Bree and Riley are my best friends back in Phoenix. My only friends, actually. Aside from the few I have made here in Forks.
I met Bree in fifth grade. I was drawn to her because she was one of those badass girls. She was smoking, having sex and getting drunk by the time high school started. She was the friend that girls like me, loved to live vicariously though.
Riley, I have known since kindergarten. He is the best friend a girl could ever ask for. He is sweet, considerate and never judging.
I glanced warily back at the handprint once more before shaking my head at myself, trying expell some of the fear rising in me. I checked my e-mail. I had three messages - because I'm just that damn popular. The first two were from Bree. The third one from Riley.
Wazzup! Bree wrote. I chuckled before scrolling down to read more.
How is it going out there? Are you making any friends? Are they better than me? They fucking better not be. I fucking miss you. School sucks without you. Riley is all up in my space trying to fill the void you left behind. But whatevs. What really chaps my ass is that I don't have a chick friend anymore. I never noticed that before. I have no CHICK FRIENDS! Watup with that bullshiz? Now I'm on the prowl for a Bella replacement. I think you should be scared. Anyway, message me back soon. Oh, before I forget. GET A FUCKING CELL PHONE ALREADY!
Love ya.
I snorted aloud at her erratic message. Bree is all kinds of crazy and never filters anything. It's what makes her so lovable - and annoying. I pulled up her next message - it was sent just five hours after the first.
Bella-Boo,
Have you seen my Bulls hat?
I shook my head, smiling to myself as I typed up my reply. I told her about my crazy father and his damn monopoly addiction keeping me up at night. I told her about school, more specifically, the people; Jessica, Angela, Mike and Tyler. I even filled her in on Lauren. I decided to leave out my weird encounters with Edward and his sister, not because I didn't want to tell her, but because every time I started to type something out concerning those two, I just ended up erasing everything. My fingers refused to cooperate.
It kind of freaked me out.
Then I reminded her that she gave me her Bulls hat as a parting gift before I pulled up Riley's message. His was simpler and just very… Riley.
Bella,
I'm lonely. Bree keeps smacking me around and I don't appreciate it. Anyway, how is everything? I hope people are treating you alright and you can come visit soon.
Miss you.
I smiled sadly as I typed him a similar message to the one I sent Bree. I think I miss him most of all. I'd definitely have to go and visit them on my next break. Which is…?
I rummaged through my backpack until I found my assignment notebook. I checked my school calendar at the back of it and groaned. It was January. The next break would be summer break. That's almost five months away.
Shit on my life.
Piss on my soul.
After moping around for a bit, I had decided to dust off and finish reading Pride and Prejudice - that Jane Austen book I left here all those years ago. But I couldn't focus because my eyes kept on flickering back and forth between the book and the deeply dented handprint on the doorframe of my closet. That is what I was doing when Dad finally came home.
I heard his cruiser pull into the driveway and his door slam shut. I put a piece of notebook paper into my book and got up from bed. I checked the time. It was a little after eight o'clock. The time had past so quickly.
"Bella!" I heard my father call up the stairs. His voice sounded muffled. The smell of greasy food hit my nose and made my stomach grumble. I quickly, carefully made my way downstairs and smiled when I saw Dad leaning against the wall with his hands full of red paper bags. He was trying to remove his shoes using just his feet while his keys dangled from his mouth.
I laughed and he glared at me. "A little help here, kid?" he asked breathlessly through his jingling keys. I chuckled softly, grabbed the bags from his hands, and brought them into the kitchen. As I was setting them on the table, Dad walked in and held his fists in front of him. I looked from his clenched hands to his face and blinked up at him, confused.
"Are we gonna tussle?" I asked seriously and he laughed.
"Pick a hand," he said excitedly, practically bouncing with joy. He reminded me of an overly hyped up five-year-old.
"O…kay, then…" I did a silent game of Eenie Meenie Miney Mo and pointed at his left hand. He opened it up to reveal a thick tube of some kind of spray. I couldn't tell what it was because it was covered in a spongy pink container. Again, I was disturbed by all the pink crap my father kept throwing at me.
"Uh… Dad?" I said warily.
"It's pepper spray," he said like it was the most obvious thing in the world.
"Why?"
"You're in Forks now, kiddo. People go missin' here," he said conversationally and shoved the container into my hands before turning to the many bags of junk food. He smiled and held out an aluminum wrapped burger, offering it to me. I studied him carefully before taking the burger from his hands and setting it back on the table.
"What do you mean people go missing here?" I asked, dread setting in. My mind flashed back to the handprint. I opened my mouth to bring it up, ask him if he had anything to do with it and hope that his answer would be a resounding "Yes" but I couldn't speak. Every time I opened my mouth to talk about it, my jaw would snap back into place as if there were two powerful magnets connected to my teeth.
Dad studied me curiously for a moment before shaking his head and turning back to the food. "Nothing for you to worry about. People just go missin', that's all. We never find a body or any traces of a struggle. Nothin' like that. They just disappear. It's been happenin' for as long as I can remember. This is a small town. We just figure that the people want out, so they make a run for it."
"Then, what's with the pepper spray?" I asked, not feeling at all comforted by his words. If the people had simply run away, they wouldn't have been deemed 'missing' would they? They'd show up somewhere around the word, wouldn't they? It just doesn't add up in my head.
"Just in case, ya know? I want you to be safe. I'd get ya a gun if it were legal." He shrugged his shoulders and bit into a greasy monstrosity of a double meat patty.
"But Dad," I pressed. "If people go missing, there is a chance that they were kidnapped, don't you think?"
"Well, yeah," he mumbled around his bite of food, and then swallowed. "Look, I'm just doin' what every chief before me has done, okay?" He sighed and shoved the rest of his burger into his mouth, his subtle way of ending the conversation. But I wasn't letting up.
"So you just turn a blind eye?"
"No!" he shouted when he swallowed his food down. He sighed and walked over to the fridge, dragging his feet. He grabbed out a Dr. Pepper before turning back to me.
"We of course investigate, but there is only so much we can do, alright? There are certain rules this town lives by, Bella. Listen real closely," he said seriously. I sat down on the edge of the table and raised an eyebrow at him. I can't wait to hear this.
"The number one rule here is to never, under any circumstances go out after the sunsets. Ever. Never get in a car with someone you don't know. Always travel in groups. If you have to be alone when you're out, bring something to protect yourself with. And don't you ever go in the woods. Follow these rules, Bella."
"So what? This whole town lives in fear?" I asked incredulously. Why had I never been informed of this? I use to come down here every summer for crying out loud! Then again, every time I was here, I'd stay in and only went out when Dad did.
"We live cautiously," he said. He rubbed his hand down his face and looked at me with a tired expression. "And we stay the hell away from the freaks."
"The freaks?" I echoed.
"The ones who live on the off skirts of town. In the woods. The Cullen family," he practically growled, looking disgusted as all hell.
Cullen… as in… "Edward Cullen?" I asked. "He goes to my school."
"Yeah, they just enrolled last year. You stay away from them and I mean it," he said using all the authority of the Chief of police and a father combined. His intense stare showed me that he meant business. Well, he didn't have to worry. I'd be damned before I went near one of those crazies willingly.
"You can bank on that, Dad." He looked pleased and shuffled back to the table to grab some more food before practically running into the living room muttering something about baseball.
I stuffed the pepper spray into my back pocket and sighed as I dug through the bags and looked for something edible. I had just settled on a cheeseburger and curly fries when headlights almost blinded me through the dirty glass on the window. I heard a door slam, and then the distinctive sound of a car being locked automatically. A few seconds later, Mom came rushing into the house. She had her hand to her heart and was breathing hard as she leaned against the door trying to catch her breath.
"Damn," she rasped when she caught sight of me. "I forgot how quick darkness fell on this damn town. Hey, baby."
She walked into the kitchen and crinkled her nose at the array of fast food. She would rather be beaten to death than eat take out food. "What on earth is he feeding you!" she demanded sending a glare at the back of Dads head. He ignored her of course.
"Bullshit," I muttered, referring to his crazy ass view of this town. If she heard me, she didn't act like it. She just rummaged through the bags and scoffed at everything she pulled out.
"Fries, burgers, grease, cheese," she growled as she threw the items onto the table. "You'll gain 200 pounds by the end of the year!" She yelled and threw her hands up exasperatedly.
"I'm probably going grocery shopping in a few days. Don't worry, Mom," I assured her. She huffed once before plopping down into the head chair. I sat down next to her to eat my "food" when her whole face lit up. She jumped out her seat and grabbed a box out of the open pantry.
"Monopoly!" she rejoiced. Before I could say "please, not this again" Dad was barreling into the kitchen with fries hanging out of his mouth.
I slammed my head on the table and groaned.
It's gonna be another long night.
.
The rest of the week was uneventful.
The night after my mom, dad, and I played six rounds of intense monopoly, Mom had to leave to go home to her demanding hubby. It killed me to see her go, but I had to suck it up. I couldn't be coddled by my mother's affection forever. Time to grow up.
School was now pretty manageable. People didn't treat me like a zoo animal anymore and once they engaged me in forced conversation, my awkwardness usually drove them away. Only a select few decided to deal with my mindless rambling, stuttering and all out uncomfortable aura. Jessica, Angela, Tyler, Eric and Mike were the only friends I had in Forks. They were all I needed anyway. They made me feel comfortable and I grew to really like them and enjoy their company over the course of the week. Mike still stared, but he never approached me in a romantic way…yet, so I was good to go.
In Gym, the kids on my team learned real quick not to pass me the ball and to step quickly in front of me if the other team tried to take advantage of the weakest link. I happily stayed out their way and let them do their thing.
Something else that I found to be both a blessing and a curse was the absence of Edward Cullen. By Friday, I was perfectly comfortable entering my Bio class, no longer worried that he would be there to give me the stink eye again. As far as I was concerned, he and his weird little sister had dropped off the face of the earth. Like Dad said, people go missing here. But the thing was, I couldn't help but feel responsible. I mean, the very day I show up is their last day in school. How could I not think I was to blame for that?
Everyday, I found myself scanning the parking lot for his motorcycle, but every morning, I was faced with a conflicting feeling somewhere between anger and relief. Obviously, I was relieved that I wouldn't be slaughtered by the maniac. But the anger… I didn't understand, but it was there nonetheless.
"So, Bella. Are you in?"
"Hmm?" I turned my head away from the empty lunch table that was once occupied by that boy. Mike was looking at me expectantly and I realized I must have zoned out mid-conversation.
"To La Push? It's gonna be fucking awesome. We're gonna have a bon fire with some of the locals. They always have beer for us," he said suggestively, raising his perfectly cropped eyebrows. Yeah, like I was going to drink. Do they not know me at all? Who my daddy is?
But a trip to LA Push sounded nice. I could visit Billy. I hadn't seen him since I refused to keep coming down for the summers. Billy is my dad's best friend. They've known each other for as long as they have been alive since their mothers went to college together. He is also my godfather and gives me chocolate. He's a cool guy.
"Sounds good," I said much to the extreme displeasure of Lauren. She draped her arm over Mikes on the table, glaring at me. I recently learned that Lauren and Mike hooked up sophomore year and she has been clingy ever since. He, however, couldn't look more bored with her.
I rolled my eyes at her blatant hate for me and her glare intensified. I squirmed uncomfortably in my seat and avoided her for the rest of the day.
Friday passed without further incident and I was glad for the weekend. Even though I was piled high with homework - most from English - I couldn't help but to be in high spirits. Things were going good. I spent part of the weekend at Jessica's house and the rest I spent fishing with Dad. I wasn't much of a fisher but I liked the bonding time with him.
By the time Monday rolled around, I was in a fantastic mood. I even put some thought into my outfit. Nothing fancy, but I still think I looked pretty.
I wore a long-sleeved, dark grey, low-cut thermal that covered most of my hands so only my purple painted fingers stuck out. I wore lightly faded skinny jeans and a dark grey beanie over curled hair that I put into a messy bun. Two locks of curly hair stuck out the front. I slipped on my winter boots and jacket and left for school, feeling the new clothes confidence rushing through me.
It's funny how new clothes can make you feel like you can take on the world.
I sung along to Blue October the whole ride to school, even nodding my head to the beat. I thought maybe, just maybe, Forks wont be so bad. Maybe a change of scenery was all I needed to get out of the slump I was in. I could be free here. The nature, oddly enough, was really growing on me. I even spent last night talking to a damn squirrel on my roof. Told him my problems and he listened. I could have sworn he even nodded his head a couple of times. I named him Elliot.
People greeted me warmly in the parking lot when I arrived. I didn't know all of their names, but it didn't matter. They were just being friendly. I learned very quickly that the kids in forks were not made up of cliques and clichés. Everyone gets along with everyone - well almost. There are a few exceptions, but pretty much, that's the deal in this town since everyone grew up together. It was refreshing.
I zipped up my jacket and wrapped my arms around my torso snugly. It was a bit chilly, but thankfully not raining.
As I got closer to the school, I noticed that a lot of the kids were huddled to the side near the stairs and either backing away from the school like they were ready to flee, or trying to get in the school as fast as they possibly could.
"Jess!" I called when I saw her and Angie huddled close together at the end of the very long line. Jessica looked over at me and waved me over quickly.
"What's going on?" I asked when I was just a foot away from her. Both she and Angie pulled me to them.
"What's going on is them," Jess said, pointing her long manicured finger to the other end of the parking lot.
My heart stopped. Time stopped. Everything stopped. Everything ceased to exist. Everything but them.
Five Lilly pad-white, extraordinary, frightening teenagers stood next to a shiny Volvo across the parking lot. They looked at no on, they did nothing but stand there, yet they were the most horrifying sight my eyes had ever captured. They were almost too unreal with their badass, beaten down, sextacular, unapproachable, deep-eyed knowingness that I had to do a double take.
Amongst those few individuals were "The Freaks" - Edward with his worn leather jacket that looked like it had seen better days, sex-hair and beaten up Doc Martins. And Alice with her penetrating gaze, creepy smile and shiny waistcoat. They had brought in reinforcements.
One of the newcomers - who had his arm wrapped protectively around Alice's waist - looked to be in his late teens. He was what one would describe as "emo" with his jet-black hair that fell a little too long around his ears and eyes. He had what looked to be a perma-snarl on his lips and dark eyeliner surrounding his eyes.
Next to him was a tall, Amazon-like woman with flowing blonde locks that reached just above her waist and curled in just right. Her face was the epitome of perfection, but the scowl she wore made her look like the epitome of evil. She had her hand strongly entwined in the hand of a large man that looked too old to be attending high school. He looked like he would be better suited for his later years of college with his pepper colored buzz cut and hard, masculine features. His eyes, however, held an innocence in their blue depths that made me think he had yet to see the world at all.
They were just standing there next to that car, minding their own business, but somehow still managed to look menacing.
"Hey, Bella!" I whirled around quickly and nearly fell face first into Mikes chest. I looked around confused. Jessica, Angela and most of the crowd that surrounded the stairs were gone. Had I zoned out again?
"Hey, Mike," I greeted him politely, glancing over at the five distractions. If I wasn't mistaken, I think I saw Edward glance at me out of the corner of his eye. But I couldn't be sure, it happened so fast.
"I wouldn't stare too long," Mike laughed nervously as he started to lead me inside. "They might take that as an invitation to come over and eat you alive."
I let out a hysterical laugh, taking his words too literally. Mike just gave me a curious look before he escorted my nervous ass to Algebra.
My first two classes went by in a blur. I was too busy thinking about him and them in all their scary, badassness. They were a horrible distraction and I can say with the utmost certainness that I learned zip and zilch all day. By the time second period ended, I was a nervous wreck. My next class was English. In English, I sat next to creepy Alice. I was literally shaking in my leather booties.
The air was full of swirling bits of white. I could hear people shouting excitedly to each other. The wind bit at my cheeks and stung my nose. I was sure my face was a devastating combination of cherry and vanilla. How attractive.
"Oh, awesome!" Mike ran up to me and started walking next to me like he has done everyday since I came here. "It's snowing!"
I looked at the little cottony puffs that smashed together along the sidewalk forming a slushy pit, already being made dirty by the endless trample of shoes. The harsh winds made them swirl erratically all around my face and I attempted to blow them away.
"So this is snow," I said, somewhat in awe of the pretty, foreign sight. "I was under the impression that these things fell in perfect little flakes - you know, each one unique and all that." I shrugged my shoulders. Guess that shows what the hell I know.
"Haven't you seen snow fall before?" Mike asked incredulously, his eyebrows almost reaching his hairline - he tends to give me that look a lot.
"Sure I have," I said defensively, then muttered, "on TV."
Mike laughed and swung his arm around my shoulder. His touchy-feely wasn't as uncomfortable as it used to be, but I still didn't appreciate being touched without giving out my damn permission. He knows that. He learned the hard way when I smacked him straight across his face a few days ago. It was purely by instinct and I felt bad, but he didn't seem to mind in the least.
I was about to push his arm away when a white flash came barreling past my face and right into Mikes. He let go of me as he bent over at the waist and coughed and sputtered. The dirtiest snowball fell from his face, leaving behind icy residue in his nose, mouth and eyes. I would have laughed if I weren't concerned. That thing came at a speed I never imagined.
"What the fucking fuck!" Mike shouted, finally able to stand up tall. He glared over my shoulder at the perpetrator, only for the fierce look to be replaced with one of fear. He quickly averted his eyes. Curious, I turned around slowly, but no one was there. Well, except for Eric, but he was too busy coiffing his newly cut hair in a compact mirror. And I doubt Eric could instill that kind of fear in Mike.
"What is it?" I asked, turning back to stare at him questioningly.
"Uh… nothing." He shrugged his shoulders and sniffed indifferently.
"Hey, I'll see ya at lunch," he said offhandedly, heading to his car. I wondered if he was leaving, but didn't have enough time to think about it since the shrill sound of the late bell went off. I rushed to class, forgetting about what awaited me there.
I was late to class. I had somehow managed to slip six times in the hallways and fell on my ass four of those six times. People laughed, but also offered their assistance. I thanked them while looking down at the ground with a red face and shining eyes. I tend to cry whenever I feel embarrassed, or sad, or mad or happy… pretty much I cry whenever I feel anything other than content.
Mr. Mason didn't badger me about my lateness. He just pointed to my seat and went back to reading a passage from Romeo and Juliet. Of course we'd be reading up on the best romance of all time.
I rolled my eyes. I hated when people referred to Shakespeare's work as the "Greatest Romance of all Time" because it isn't. Yes, I agree that it has a healthy amount of romance in it. But, at the end, it's a damn tragedy. The tragedy completely overshadows everything else and that is how I take it. It's also two dumb teenagers risking their lives and reputations to be together. How lame.
I'm a big fan of Shakespeare, but that is one of his stories that I just can't seem to relate to in the least.
I kept my head down as I sat in my seat. I pulled my things out and splayed them out like I had everyday before, but when I moved my binder further to the left, it was stopped by a velvet blue bag sitting on the connecting table.
That's when it hit me. I remembered why I was so nervous all day.
They were back. And they brought friends…
I pulled my binder back quickly and glanced at the weird little girl out of the corner of my eye.
Alice.
She was again staring right into my soul, only this time, her smile held friendliness and the snarl at the top of her lip was at a minimum.
"Hello again, Isabella," she said, sickly sweet.
"Yeah," I breathed, turning away from her. I didn't want to be rude, but she just gave me the creeps. Besides, I told Dad I would avoid them. And I am nothing if not respectful of my parents wishes. They birthed me. They deserve it.
She giggled next to me and in my peripheral vision, I could see her adjust her position in her seat to face me.
"Now, Isabella. Edward won't like this rudeness you're showing me. I am his favorite sister," she said somewhat smugly.
Again, I was thrown for a damn loop. "O…kay? I'm sorry?"
"Oh, that's fine." She giggled again and the sound did nothing to curve my nauseous making nerves. "You need time to learn," she said conversationally.
"Edward is more than willing to teach you. My brother has been preparing for your arrival for a long while, but he was so shocked when you got here. You're much prettier than in the vision I had of you and your smell is just…" She groaned deep within her throat. "I guess I saw things wrong. Anyway, my brother feels he is better prepared this time round. But you have to know-"
"What the hell are you talking about?" I all but hissed at her, cutting off her speedy rambling.
Edward is willing to teach me? He has been preparing for my arrival? I'm prettier than in her VISION? And what the hell is wrong with my smell?
I stared at her wide-eyed and my mouth hanging open unattractively, while she just stared at me as if she just saw a ghost.
"Edward is gonna kill me," she groaned, turning away from me. She put her head in her hands, pulling at the end of her hair roughly. She looked at the front of the room for the rest of class as if we hadn't been talking at all. I stared at her until the bell rang.
"Forget I said anything," she growled before storming out of the room. She bumped shoulders with a terrified girl, knocking the girl with superior height and muscle tone to the floor easily. I rushed to help her up. She muttered a quick "Thank you" before running out of the classroom like her ass was on fire.
"Why were you talking to that freak?" Jessica asked, startling me. I held my hand to my heart.
"Jeez, you people are gonna give me a heart attack," I mumbled as I grabbed my things and walked out of the room with Jessica and Angie rushing to my sides.
"So… What was that all about?" Angie asked a little unwillingly. She looked like she didn't want to pry, but couldn't help herself. I couldn't blame her. I sighed and opened my mouth to tell them all about the weird things Alice had said, but I was, once again, aphonic. I was beginning to worry. Why couldn't I speak?
"So?" Jess asked impatiently.
Speak, dammit!
I opened my mouth, no words came out. Like when I couldn't bring myself to tell Bree and Riley about Edward. Or Dad about the handprint… What the hell?
"I… nothing," I finally said, sighing.
I give up.
Jess didn't stop badgering and poking me until Angie told her to knock it off. I smiled gratefully at her and she smiled sweetly back.
We got our food and walked to our regular table. I sat between Mike and Tyler while Jess and Angie sat across from me. Eric was busy standing at the edge of the table pushing his ass out and giving the football players at the next table a show.
I chuckled and took a bite of the nasty cheeseburger I bought. I made a face and opened the bun to inspect the patty. It looked a little ashy. I subtly spit the bite into a napkin. I'm just waiting for the day someone gets food poisoning here and we have a scene like in Bridesmaids, with people puking all over the place, shitting in sinks and the street. Yeah, that'll be good for the schools image.
"Mmm-Mmm, it sure smells good in here!" a loud, booming voice echoed off the walls and all eyes went to the front of the cafeteria where they all stood. The big one and Edward were snickering while the rest of them glared at the two.
The gorgeous one pulled her hand out of the big guys and strutted, swaying her full hips exaggeratedly. She flopped down in a seat at the only available table in the lunchroom. The rest followed behind quietly, not even glancing at the food line.
The emo one held both arms around Alice's waist, glaring at every person who dared look their way - and that was everyone. He had a different glare for each person, but each was so full of anger and disgust. Menacing.
It chilled me to the bone when he cast his hard black eyes on me. To my surprise, Alice slapped him lightly on the head. He rubbed his face into her neck like a cat in heat and that's when I decided I had to look away from them. My eyes, however, found the last person I wanted to see.
Edward was standing near the table his friends occupied, his eyes on me. He didn't glare, he didn't sneer, he did nothing but look at me with a somber expression. As if he were studying a boring painting.
You too, dick. You too!
I looked away from him and instinctively curled into the closest person to me. That just so happened to be Tyler. He smiled down at me and winked. I blushed, moving away from him.
"Do you wanna catch a ride with me?" he asked hopefully.
"To where?"
"The beach. I can pick you up. Jess, Mike, and Lauren are riding with me and maybe some more people. I don't know yet. I have a lot of room in my van, so it's no problem at all."
"I have a problem with it." Lauren held her hand up. She popped her gum and then smirked at me.
"Shut up, Lauren," Mike defended me, which I really wish he hadn't of done. Lauren scared the crap out of me. And she is a cheerleader. You know they are packin' some serious muscle. She glared at me, but did as Mike said and shut up. Her hand tapped on the table and I recognized that as a common tick. She wanted to hit something and I had a bad feeling that something was me.
I sighed and let my eyes wander back to the loud table across the room. The big guy and Alice were yelling happily back and forth while the pretty one and the emo one talked to each other quietly. Edward was still staring at me, only now he found his way to an open seat next to Alice.
This time, I didn't look away. I studied him as much as he studied me. He looked different from the last time I seen him. I couldn't pinpoint the difference, but there was definitely something.
His skin had a new shine to it, his cheeks tinted a lovely pink - he was flushed, probably from the snow. He looked… rejuvenated. And just so darn… loverly, like he had just gotten back from rolling around in the sack with a nyphmo. I had already established that he was perfection, but now he was something out of my wildest fantasies. Too bad he is a fucking loon.
"Bella, what the hell are you staring at?" Jessica intruded, her eyes flashing between me and the boy I was currently ogling. She looked disgusted and I immediately dropped my eyes, but not before I saw the death glare Edward shot at Jessica.
"I wouldn't," she said in a warning tone. "I know a lot of girls find him… sexy," she spat, shuddering as if it physically hurt her to speak the word and associate it with Edward. "But he is bad news. Please, as your friend, I am asking you to just not even try it," she said pleadingly.
I Sighed and turned to her. I looked her right in the eye and nodded. "Trust me, Jess. The last thing I wanna do is be near that boy."
She let out a relieved sigh and smiled at me before going back to pushing her food around her plate and making googly eyes at Angie who returned it wholeheartedly.
Just then, there was a loud crash. I whipped my head in the direction of the sound and gasped at what I saw. Edward was standing up, glaring at me, with his chair thrown almost all the way across the room from his table. He breathed in and out of his nose quickly.
Alice reached up her delicate little hands, wrapping them around his arm, but he just ripped his arm out of her hold and stormed out of the cafeteria, but not before giving me one last hard glare. I shivered and looked away.
Was this guy bipolar?
"Well," that booming voice came again. "Ed forgot to take his meds today," he laughed. The pretty one slapped him on the back of his head without looking up from her nails. She swung her crossed leg back and forth under the table casually.
The rest of lunch was awkward and tense. I was glad when the bell rang. I had Gym before Bio today, thank God. It would give me more time to prepare.
.
"Damn, Bella," Lauren laughed as we changed back into our casual clothes. "Why do you even own a bra?" I quickly pulled my shirt down and blushed furiously as a few girls laughed at me. Jessica crossed her arms over her chest menacingly as she came to stand in front of me as I finished getting dressed. She glared at Lauren intensely.
"Least hers are real," she quipped earning an evil glare from Lauren, to which she just shrugged.
"And if I remember correctly, before your granddaddy bought you new titties, they were even smaller than Bella's. You looked like a gosh damn boy. So back the fuck off." She flicked her wrist at Lauren and rolled her head on her shoulders.
I could kiss her! Better yet, I could get Angie to kiss her. It felt nice having someone come to my defense. It use to be Bree's job.
"Screw you, dike," Lauren hissed before slamming her locker closed and pushing past all the laughing girls.
"You okay, Bells?" Jessica turned to me.
I nodded. "Thanks for that."
"No prob! I hate that bitch with the passion of a thousand suns and a couple red hots," she laughed.
"Don't listen to her, by the way. She's just a hater. Your boobies are perfectly fine, they're round and perky," she complimented with a smile. I blushed and turned away, mumbling a quiet "Thanks."
.
My tummy did frightened little flips as Mike walked me to Bio. I kept hoping Edward wouldn't be there, but a part of me also hoped that he was there. I didn't know why and that bothered me.
"We're having an epic blizzard battle after school," Mike said excitedly as we made our way through the door. "It's gonna be…" Mikes face grew pained when we opened the door. It was raining. The rain washed away all traces of the snow and that made me kind of sad. I didn't get to enjoy my first snowfall. I was even thinking about joining in on their snowball fight. I felt gypped.
"Well this fucking blows," Mike mumbled, stuffing his hands into his coat pockets. I did the same and nodded my head sadly. Mike kept up a string of complaints the entire walk to Biology. I couldn't feel bothered by it since I agreed with every word.
Rain DOES blow. Damn rain…
Once we finally made it to class, Mike was too pissy to walk me to my seat. Or maybe it had more to do with the very pissed off looking boy sitting at my table. I took a deep breath and braced myself for whatever this class had in store.
If you have any questions (I'm sure there are quite a few) please do not hesitate to ask. I'll answer what I can.
