Ok ok so I've gotten pretty ahead of myself to be honest, I should probably explain how exactly he and I came to meet. In the most tame, normal, yet bizarre of occurences, this is how it all happened.
(flashback)
Oh God.
I seriously didn't know where to go, holding my lunch tray which comprised of a red apple, lemonade and some fries, I didn't have a clue where exactly I fit in the grand scheme of things at Forks High. I looked around the cafeteria, and everyone just seemed to have these cliques, I tried to duck my head a little and not be so noticeable in my obvious discomfort; but I knew I stuck out like a sore thumb.
I had made more of an effort than usual with my appearance that morning; I curled my wavy brown locks a little and placed a pretty butterfly hairband on my crown. After trying on at least three tops, I huffed and sighed until my decision rested on a deep navy blue v-neck shirt and dark, tight-fitting jeans. For someone who wasn't into fashion, my nervousness today just changed all that. Looking in the mirror then, I stared at my reflection; my doe shaped, chocolate eyes. My blemish-free, pale complexion, and my shapely lips.
Was I ugly?
No.
Was I pretty?
Not exactly.
I had an interestingly ordinary look. Due to my lack of effort with my look on a daily-basis, being naturally like this wasn't a problem; but right now...I wanted to have something. Living in Arizona, with all the tanned, blonde girls, it was hard enough; but I had lived there so long, I was always expected to be plain, pale Bella.
Right now, I'm the new girl and new girls are always expected to make an impression, while I just..blended. I left the house without any alterations to my face and now standing here, looking at all these girls, I swear to god, I wish I had put on something. Anything. Dirt as blusher maybe. Everyone was staring at me, and hell if I knew where to go. Even the bathroom sounded good right about now. I mean do people just mingle? Do I just walk up to them and introduce myself, or is the introduction totally their call? I couldn't remember exactly how to do this when a familiar face clouded my vision.
'Bella!' He practically shouted.
A young, black haired, Asian boy stood there waving in my face excitedly. I flinched, and gave him a nervous smile.
'Sorry,' he chuckled, then joyously patted my back while pointing to himself, 'remember me? Eyes and ears?'
I nodded, then tucked my hair behind my right ear, 'Yeah, totally, Eric, right?
'You remembered?' he asked me with such a nervous smile.
'Yeah, of course. Never forget a friendly face,' I tried to reassure him, really, but I just wasn't particularly into over-chattiness, especially today. I was just getting to know the place.
'Wanna sit with us?' he gestured to a group of people who I vaguely remebered seeing in a few of my classes.
'Sure,' I nodded, smiling and then followed him over.
'Hey guys! So this is Bella,' Eric introduced me to the occupants one by one; there was Jessica, Angela, Mike, Emma, Riley, Sarah and Dean.
I admitted to myself that I would probably forget half their names by the end of lunch but I nodded enthusiastically and reminded myself to pay attention to the conversation. They all smiled up at me politely, and gestured to a seat in which to sit in. They all seemed pretty nice, and really hell-bent on trying to make me feel welcome which I was grateful for.
'Bella? As in...?' A girl I was pretty sure who's name was Jessica asked me.
'Isabella,' I replied.
'Which do you prefer?'
'Bella, definitely,' I shoved a fry in my mouth, hoping it was the end of the conversation that revolved around me. No such luck.
'Ok so Bella, where are you from?' Mike asked.
'Oh, eh I just moved here from Arizona.'
'Oh-'
'Arizona?' Jessica interjected, 'Aren't people from Arizona like..really tan? You don't look-'
'Yeah, maybe that's why they kicked me out.'
The whole table erupted into a quiet chuckle, oh which, Mike laughed the loudest-obviously amused at my little attempt at humour. To be honest, I couldn't say it was that funny but I gave a meek smile. All of a sudden the bubbly Jessica put everyone else to shame with her laugh, it seemed so forced and yet no one else noticed. She was watching Mike with obvious interest.
Her eyes shot to mine, then she looked from me to him, 'That's so funny,' and rested her head on her hand and glanced at Mike through her eyelashes, 'Yeah.'
Mike seemed completely oblivious to Jessicas darting eyes, as did many others, and he continued with his questions while holding my gaze, his hazel eyes boring into mine, making me slightly uncomfortable.
'So, he continued, 'Why did you move here? Who with?'
'Um....' The conversation has definitely taken a turn that didn't appeal to me, 'I guess...well I moved here to be with my Dad, Charlie,' I ran my hand through my hair and looked down at my tray, willing this conversation to end.
'Charlie Swan?' A mousy haired girl from the corner squeaked, 'The chief of police?'
As my eyes travelled to hers, a blush creeped up her neck and I gave her a reassuring smile but was cut off before I could answer.
'The one and only,' Mike replied for me, smiling.
'How do you know him?' the girl continued, this time, the question, however was directed at Mike.
I hoped I hadn't scared her, my eyes always seemed to bore into other peoples, which in turn made them uncomfortable. I could relate, sometimes when others looked at me in a way I didn't like, my head drooped even of it's own accord.
Mike, who was sitting on the table, as opposed to an actual chair, replied in between bites of his sandwich, 'Well, my Mom knows him..I dunno, he's an old family friend I guess. The Newtons and the Swans-we're buddies,' he chuckled, still looking at me. 'Maybe we'll get to know each other?'
'Probably,' I shrugged good-naturedly.
'So, is your Mom back in Arizona?' Jessica now took the reign of the conversation and edged towards me.
There it was. The question.
'Sort of,' I said, eating another fry, 'She died a few weeks ago.'
It was then that I could swear the room went silent, I couldn't even bring my eyes up to look innocently around me. I knew exactly the effect those words had on the others, total awkwardness. But how could I have avoided the question? Yeah my Mom is back in Arizona with her boyfriend and she's gonna come visit me from time to time, she's totally loving not having responsibility anymore!
I didn't think so.
'Oh, Bella...I'm, I'm really sorry I didn't know!' I turned to look at Jessica, and her blue eyes were round with concern and worry.
'Jess, it's cool, really,' I smiled. 'I know you didn't, I don't mind,' I patted her on the back, with which she seemed to take as sincere forgiveness.
It took a few more minutes for the entire awkwardness to subside, the rest of the table remained slightly quiet for the next while but then chatter broke out once more. I stayed quiet for most of it, not wanting to give anymore of a crappy impression that I already had. A couple walked by me then and I turned to look at them, and I can't lie, I was mesmerised.
A blonde, curly haired boy and dark, short haired, petite girl almost danced by and I was actually entranced by their presence. The boy spun the girl in such a graceful manner I wondered whether she were a ballet dancer in her spare time. My eyes swept their faces and the boy's expression startled me. He looked...agonised; in pain somehow. And although he seemed, torn up or something, his eyes were sweeping the girl's form before him in an adoring fashion. My vision switched to her almost immediately; she was beautiful, in the most, cute and adoreable way. She was dressed in the most up to date clothes and her face was shaded in neutral and pastel hues which complimented her amazing hairstyle. It was, extreme to say the least. Spreading out in every possible direction and shaped her face perfectly. I'd very nearly adore her.
'Who's that?' I motioned to the couple, now taking their seat at a newly vacated table at the back.
'Oh!' Jessica almost seemed grateful to be able to give the obvious scoop on the two, however Angela, with her first time to speak, cut across her.
'That's a Cullen and Brandon,' she said, as if the name meant everything.
'Yeah, the guy is like Dr and Mrs. Cullens foster kid,' she smirked at me, clearly in her 'gossip mode, 'The family-there's others by the way-moved down here from Alaska two years ago. The girl, well she's been around for a while, the town hasn't seen anything like her or her friends, let me tell you..'
'That crowd, they kinda...keep to themselves,' Angela admitted.
'Because they're all together. Like together together,' her eyes now rested upon a large, dark, curly-haired boy and gorgeous blonde haired girl, who walked, hand in hand with each other to the same table as the couple from before. 'The blonde girl, Rosalie, and the big dark-haired guy, Emmett-they're like a thing. I'm not even sure if that's legal.'
'Jess!' Angela scolded, 'They're not actually related!'
'I know, but it's weird!'
'And, what about the others?' I asked, completely absorbed in the family.
'Oh yeah, the little dark-haired girl, Alice, Alice Brandon' she motioned her head towards the table the four were now occupying, 'she's really weird! She's really good friends with Jasper, the blonde who looks like he's in pain,' she chuckled.
While looking at table I could have swore I saw the girl, Alice, give her friend, Jasper a pointed look.
Stupid, we were so obvious!
'I think,' she carried on, at the same pitch, after opening her non fat yoghurt and taking a scoop, 'Dr Cullen's like a foster dad slash matchmaker,' she smiled, looking at her spoon and then dangling it in the air absent-mindedly. 'Alice and Jasper haven't hooked up though. I mean it looks like they're in love or something but apparently they insist they're just "good" friends.'
'Maybe he'll adopt me,' Angela smiled dreamily.
We all laughed and at that moment, I decided that I really liked Angela, she seemed like someone I could definitely get on well with.
'So, they keep to their own group a lot?'
'Yeah! They're really nice, and totally popular, but for the most part, they stick with themselves. The guys are on the basketball team, Alice and Rosalie-'
'Are cheerleaders,' Jessica provided, 'With me,' she added with a superior smile. 'Angela doesn't like the whole "short skirt" thing.'
Angela looked down pointedly while her cheeks flushed and I felt sorry for her. Jessica seemed to be the ring leader of the two, and Angela, too shy to stand up to her.
I leaned away from my table and glanced around. The door that the Cullens and Alice had just come through was swinging, until a large hand caught it and opened it. A tall, lanky yet toned boy walked through the door. He had pale skin with this untidy, reddish bronze hair that, in that moment, I was dying to run my hands through; and his cheeks were slightly hollowed in comparison to his strong and defined bone structure. I could see from my seat that his eyes were a glowing green. He loped in the same direction as the others, with a dark leather jacket in his strong hand.
'Who's he?' I breathed.
'That's Edward Cullen.'
I stared at him for a few moments until his eyes seemed to follow my gaze. I shot my head forward to look at Angela.
'He's totally goregous-like all of them of course,' she added sneeringly. 'But apparently no one here is good enough for him. Like I care!'
My eyes followed his tall figure and saw him sit down with the others. How could anyone...anyone, take their eyes off him?
'Anyway, don't waste your time!' My head spun back around and I shook it, chuckling.
'I wasn't planning on it,' I mumbled, looking down at my hands.
'He did go out with Tanya Denali,' Angela whispered in Jessicas ear.
'Yeah but we all know what for! It's not as if it was anything serious or long lasting,' she said rolling her eyes.
'Hey you guys, I'm gonna go get dessert, you want any?' I got up out of my seat and stared at my half eaten food and admitted quietly to myself, that I had barely eaten anything.
'Some jello out of the question?' Jessica bobbed enthusiastically at me.
I nodded in reply.
I left the table comtemplating the family I had just been told about, and following the gazes of all the students in the cafeteria, I should have clued in earlier to the very nearly famous Cullens and Alice Brandon. On second speculation, I noticed the group was visited by a lot of the student population, however none of them ever left their table. Just laughed and talked along with whoever came over to hang out with them; eventually a larger group was made up that centred around Emmett, Rosalie, Jasper, Alice and Edward.
I sighed, I guess that was the popular, pretty group. Including Edward Cullen. Excluding me.
I dumped my old food except for my apple and picked up some jello for Jessica. I didn't even see anything that I wanted to eat right now, so I just contented myself with my shiny, red apple. I walked back to my table and looked towards that sacred table, my vision flooded with perfection. My eyes travelled across the sea of faces and they rested on Edward, who, for some reason, seemed to be staring back at me. I stood there; totally in shock, and just looked at him.
Why was someone like that, looking at me? He actually startled me, by sitting there in his chair, just being, he startled me. There was an air about him, I couldn't describe it, but it wasn't just from how he looked-despite the fact that yes, he was the most amazingly attractive male I had ever seen, but there was something about him that I couldn't put into words. Maybe it was the way he was looking at me, with that intense expression that I had never seen before.
'Yo! Bell-a!' Eric called.
I jumped a little and looked over to our table and nearly tripped over my own footing. I glanced back towards Edward, who was still staring at me, a little smile now tugging at his shapely lips. My brows furrowed slightly and I shook my head as I sat down and bit my lip.
What was that?!
'Wa-hey! Thanks Bella, you're the best,' Jessica smiled heartily as she abandoned her yoghurt and reached for the jello.
'Are you still nervous about your classes Bella?'
I replied honestly, 'Yeah, kinda,' I shrugged, 'I mean, I still don't really know my way around.'
'At least you have us,' Angela looked at me warmly.
'Yeah I know, seriously, thanks guys, I'd be pretty lost right now,' I returned her smile, meaning every bit of it.
'Ya know if it weren't for me Bells you probably would be lost!' Eric interjected, causing the whole table to laugh.
'So, what's your next class anyway?' Jess asked, finishing up her dessert.
'Biology I think,' screwing my eyes up, trying to remember. I shoved my hand in my jeans pocket and retrieved a small scrap of paper with my timetable on it which confirmed it. 'Yeah, bio next!'
With that, the bell went and everyone stood up and went in their respective directions. I assumed no one had biology as after they dumped their trays, they didn't follow me. With my backpack hanging on my shoulder and my timetable in hand, I made my way to Mr. Warrens classroom and entered it. I walked up to his desk and introduced myself.
'Hmm Isabella Swan,' he mumbled, his finger trailing down the class list; eventually finding it, he tapped the scribble that was my name in confirmation, 'Aha! There you are. Ok, here is the project, we're working on at the moment.' He handed me about 5 sheets of paper and an apologetic smile, 'You should be able to catch up quickly, let's see...' he trailed down his list again, then turned to me, 'You can go sit beside Edward Cullen. Over there.'
I turned in the direction that his finger pointed and my heart seized a little at the mention that I'd be sitting beside him. And then I saw him, looking down, reading his notes. He was leaning on the desk with one arm, while his other hand was holding the back of his neck as he sat deep in concentration. I nodded at Mr. Warren, mumbling thanks, as I trudged over to my assigned seat and plopped my bag on the floor.
Edward looked up, obviously startled, but his surprise quickly turned into a small smile.
'Hey,' his voice stopped me from sitting down.
'Huh?' I replied in my eloquent way.
He chuckled a little, 'You gonna sit down?'
I looked around and notice everybody was already in their seats. I plopped down and stretched my hands out in front of me, 'Hey,' I turned giving him a small smile.
'I'm Edward Cullen,' he held out his hand for me to shake.
To be honest I wasn't quite sure that I was in control of my limbs. Surprisingly, I actually lifted my hand, 'I'm Bella Swan.'
'Bella Swan? That's...really pretty.'
Yeah that and a mailbox.
He seemed to notice how lame it sounded and he quickly recovered, 'It is nice, I'm not just saying,' he reassured me and, despite how awkward it sounded, it was still honest. He appeared to be honest.
'Thanks,' I nodded, biting my lip and running my hand through my hair.
'Sorry, did I make you uncomfortable?'
I turned to look at him and his gaze startled me, it was pretty damn intense, like looking through me, 'No no, just...not used to compliments you know?'
'Not really, how could you not be used to compliments?' he retorted, standing up quickly and walking up towards the teachers desk, retrieving some more documents, and returning to our table.
He sat back down and flopped the sheets in front of me before I could even begin to be surprised at his comment. He thought that I got compliments?! I wanted to actually 'Ha!' in his face.
'So where'd you wanna start?' He continued, taking on a totally different subject and meaning our project.
To be honest, with Edward Cullen, I didn't even know where to begin......
