The Lion

I felt fatigued when Charlie pulled up the drive half past six yesterday, and I sobbed, "Finally...", prepared to doze off at any moment. The day's events had been more draining than first anticipated. The pizza was a disappointment. Charlie had gotten himself a meat lovers (no surprise), and for me there waited a vegetarian pie with mushrooms, onion, bell peppers, and other toppings buried beneath charitable amounts of cheese I could not begin to identify; their flavor's lost. We ate in silence. I managed three slices before the ooze of the grease made me queasy. I suggested the prospects of fresh foods to Charlie and offered management over the gastronomical aspects of the household. He made an attempt, yet again, to protest, "You don't have to do that Luc."

"Dad you can't convince me that all these take-away dinners don't sicken you after awhile. It won't be a problem, really. Mom and I used to cook together all the time. I like it. All I need is a small grocery fund and off we go setting our palates on fire with some zest. I could always make grandma Swan's famous Swedish Meatballs," I winked at him; my mouth opening with a smile.

Charlie surrendered. I assured him my decision was genuine, and my resolve final. "Maybe after a week of fresh meals he'll come to accept the idea", I thought as I climbed the stairs. I had taken a peek at the Menu of Pacific Pizza before bidding him good night, and fumed that their menu was so extensive, "I could have had pasta." Nonetheless, I should not be thankless, not now, not until it claws its way back out.

I slept dreamlessly which doesn't happen often - like closing your eyes momentarily only to be stunned seconds later by a howling alarm. Weakly I reached for my phone in the dark. I fumbled with it, "Yes, yes, I hear you. I'm up!" Finally it registered my thumb sliding across the red X and settled down.

I leaned up on my elbows when I heard a low rumble outside accompanied by a flashing light in the distance I observed through the window. "The hell?" I turned over looking at the room. "Oh," I rubbed my face down with my hand, "Right, right, I moved." I rose, groaning, a few of my joints aching and petitioning for me to stop. I sat on the edge of the bed. I stared at the bin I hadn't noticed before beneath my desk. It was a morning ritual of mine. I always sat up, on the edge of the bed, and no doubt with glossy eyes; just stared. I was never sure how much precious time I squandered this way. I fumbled for my phone again, 6:49 am; I squinted as the blue light blinded me.

"Alright then, let's get ready for pandemonium." I swayed when I got to my feet. My hands found my head instinctively, and I massaged my temples when I took note of the throbbing; headaches. I've been having them for years. One would surmise that eventually once enough time passed you'd adapt but no, I hadn't reached that platform yet.

I retrieved the Ibuprofen from my school bag and popped two of them in my mouth and wandered to the bathroom. I took a little drink straight from the faucet feeling the oblong-shaped tablet's moving down my throat before nearly scaring myself to death glancing in the mirror. I stepped in the shower and soaked myself. I took a few moments longer allowing the hot water to jerk me awake. Once I dried I applied some of that lotion mom had gotten me, the aroma was rich with hibiscus and almond. I blow dried the hair, grateful that Charlie had a blow dryer and considered what to do with the DO.

It was mahogany, thick, and when exposed to light revealed layers of chocolate brown. For the sake of early-bird amusement I parted it down the middle of my scalp, spreading it to either side. I blinked at myself in the mirror, "I look like a French whore." As I giggled I readjusted it as always and took a finger's worth of gel. I made the curls and swept it off to my left with only a few rebellious strains dangling over my eye. I blew them back up where they finally settled after some crafting. My style was plain, nothing special, perhaps even expired. I wasn't really interested in taper cuts, fauxhawk's, burned sides or whatever stylists called it. I settled for my boring medium length, swept to the side, and good 'nugh.

After brushing my teeth I decided not to do battle with the fashion fiend's on this morn. I threw on some black jeans, oblivious to the designer, and a light blue v-neck t-shirt. I thought it accommodated my livid complexion. I could be wrong. I wrestled with the belt and began emptying my side bag. I stored the notebooks Charlie had gotten me and pencils inside. I turned to the bookshelf, specifically to the row I had already read and closed my eyes. Playfully my finger zoomed back and forth across their spines, "Big money, big money, no whammies, STOP." There were no whammies.

Without looking at what I had selected I carefully nudged it inside the bag, closed it, snatched up the parka, and followed the scent of coffee down the ivory stairs. It's like they always say, "If you brew it, they will come."

I found Charlie already outfitted in his police uniform leaning sluggishly against the kitchen counter. "Good morning," I mumbled still a bit groggy. He sipped his coffee and returned the gesture, yawning halfway through. I opened the cabinet above the coffee maker and found a row of mugs in different colors; settling for one that had been painted with an oversized goldfish in a small tank, and the slogan: "This sucks!"

"You drinkin' coffee? Since when?" Charlie folded his arms across his chest watching me fill up the mug with the murky "elixir of life" and adding one spoon of sugar, no milk, I don't like it.

"Awhile. I like the taste and the warmth in my stomach. It gets me going in the morning." I savored a taste after explaining, and found it soothing.

"I shouldn't be surprised I guess," Charlie went on, "The last time you were here you always wanted hot chocolate in the morning."

"Got any?" My eyes widened when I asked. I still liked hot chocolate especially with generous amounts of marshmallows. Charlie smirked and shifted his weight from one leg to the other.

"Sorry but, no. You can always get some later though. Here, for the groceries," and with that handed me a one hundred dollar bill. I croaked at it surprised.

"Charlie this is way too much." I tried handing it back to him but he ignored me, instead seizing his car keys off the kitchen table.

"Nonsense. That'll get enough food for the two of us for what? Two weeks? I might just save some money now not eating out all the time, and donating to the diner."

I suppressed a laugh and agreed nodding. "Where can I get groceries around here anyway?"

"Over on Forks Avenue. There's Thriftway, La Michoacana, and another one operated by a private owner." I opened the notepad application on my phone and quickly typed the epithet's Charlie mentioned. All I hoped for was some fresh produce.

"I gotta get goin'. We've been having some trouble with the mountain lions coming down from the peninsula."

"Mountain WHAT?" I nearly dropped my mug over his declaration. Charlie patted me on the shoulder, reassuringly.

"Something must have spooked them. They usually never travel this far into town. Do me a favor, for the time being, don't go exploring the woods."

"I might not even explore the school," I said on the verge of hyperventilating.

"You're not in Arizona anymore Luc. You shouldn't worry though. The cougars around here are mostly shy. They've only been spotted by folks up till now with no incidents of injury reported. I'll be home around six tonight."

"O-okay..." My mind was still reeling with the idea of waking up in the morning to a giant wild cat purring in the back yard.

"Good luck in school today. You remember how to get there?" I held up my phone, taking another sip of the coffee. Charlie acknowledged the gesture and headed for the front door.

"Be careful," I yelled after him. He saluted me adding, "Always am," and with that abandoned me struggling with the idea of carnivores in our back gardens.

I shivered, "Good God, mountain lions. What else? Better yet what could have spooked them? Bigfoot?" I finished my cup of go-go juice and rinsed out the mug in the sink. I glimpsed up at the clock above the refrigerator; it was half past seven now. "How quickly time flies when one fears for his life". I put on the cobalt blue parka and zipped up. I flung my side bag carelessly over my shoulder and opened the door - nervously.

There was a light drizzle accompanied by a fading metallic mist. I didn't spot anything threatening so I carefully waded through the puddles a heavier rainfall from last night must have left behind, and scampered inside the truck. The excitement returned. I adjusted the rearview mirror and brought the engine to life. I shuddered, delighted, as the vibrations of the truck rocked me and Jacob's Dreamcatcher. I reached for my phone and took another look at the map. The school wasn't that far. I opened my MP3 player and put on Death Can For Cutie, "Meet me on the Equinox", and off I went.

As I drove I saw the post office, a bakery, and coffee shop on the main avenue. I also noticed that Charlie must have filled up the gas tank all the way. The small arrow did not maneuver away from the F. It didn't take long to find Spartan Avenue. I beheld the school in the background right away, a large red brick building. I read that a few years ago the high school was remodeled and somewhat rebuilt. I saw the sign then, "FORKS HIGH SCHOOL, HOME OF THE SPARTANS."

"Spartan... Always figured myself more of a hermit but alright," I mumbled to myself. I saw a cluster of students flooding through the main entrance and my heart went into overdrive. The adrenalin was pulsing through me, and I was anxious. I tried not to be cynical but intuition told me this was going to be an intriguing day. I pulled around the school in search of the parking lot. After finding it and joining the stream of cars I quickly pulled into a spot on the side of the lawn, farthest away from the back door. After turning off the truck curiosity got the better of me and I rummaged through my bag looking for the literature I selected.

"The Catcher in the Rye," I laughed. "How appropriate!" I looked out at the lot and met some inquiring eyes leveling up the truck and no doubt, me. Despite my reservations I implored the powers above to make this day memorable as a good one. There was no sense in putting it off. I looked at the book again, and climbed out of the truck saying, "Well, let's goddamn do it then." I hoped to do Holden proud.

I secured my bag and kept my eyes down trotting across the lot. Occasionally I looked up and saw several alert faces ogling me. Many were still just arriving. I would be lying if I had any idea what the titles of these cars were. Most seemed used though especially the other trucks that pulled up after me. On the other side of the lot I documented a gleaming silver car. I thought it seemed newest of them all.

"Nice ride dude," I followed the clamor of the sound. It belonged to a guy a bit taller than me (naturally). As he smiled I mentally remarked on the leftover baby fat in his cheeks, bringing them up to his pale blue eyes that suited his equally pale blond hair well. He wore a varsity jacket and stood next to some girls I didn't make eye contact with. I returned his smile, shyly.

"Thanks," and I strode on. I reached for my phone, remembering to turn it off and hid it inside the parka along with my headphones. Attempting to look busy as to avoid detection was strenuous, and I failed miserably but evaded conversation. Although no one else approached me they did observe, rather hungrily, like people forced to watch the same flick over and over again and then there was me; a new release. A hot commodity no doubt, "I wonder how long this will last?"

I entered through the back door and made out the wooden hallways with lockers that matched their naturalistic style, though they were darker mosaics. The walls were gritty but blended the "forest" together evenly. I gently pushed my way through the crowd, again, earning attention. I wondered if this was what celebrities felt like all the time. I couldn't do it.

I walked silently towards the front of the building, no doubt locating the office there, and I did. I found a raised maple desk with a young woman, typing hectically. The fuzzy green carpet made crude noises as I moved over it, like someone scratching their behind. I looked about and saw three, no four doors leading who knows where, one in all likelihood reserved for the principal.

"May I help you sweetie?" I fixed my attention back to the secretary. I perceived her as young, maybe early thirties. Her red voluminous hair fell like waterfalls down her sides, cradling and circling her body. She had a natural glow to her freckled face, and inquisitive brown eyes hidden behind those black rimmed glasses. I approached the desk.

"Hi, my name is Luca Swan. I think my father dialed you about my enrollment? I'm meant to attend starting today." She nodded and went about the computer. One side of the office was a glass paneled wall. Again, I saw a plethora of pupils stopping momentarily to size me up. "Something on my face? Forks can't be that provincial."

"There," I jumped. "Ahh, don't do that." The secretary opened a drawer shuffling papers around until she handed me a small yellow slip.

"Welcome to Forks High Luca. My name is Cyndee," she introduced herself with a kind smile." This is your attendance slip. Please make sure that all your teacher's today and tomorrow sign it, and I'm printing your curriculum now."

"Thank you." I reflected her smile. She took off her glasses glancing in the direction of the glass panel. The students there caught her eyes and resumed their flow.

"I should tell you, Forks doesn't get many new arrivals. Get ready, especially for lunch." A sympathetic sparkle moved into her eyes while she said it. I suddenly felt a bit nauseous. "I should start entertaining the most important meal of the day."

"That bad?" Cyndee grimaced pulling up the right side of her lips and nose, nodding. She reached for the freshly printed sheet the Canon popped out and handed it to me. There were a total of four classes every day, consuming ninety minutes each, and half an hour of study hall leading to lunch at 11:30 she explained. I felt relieved when I noticed the lack of physical education. I beamed with enthusiasm learning that my first class was English today. The day's would always rotate.

I thanked Cyndee for her assistance, and she proceeded to wish me good fortunes, again. She also commented that if I should face any trouble with a student or a member of faculty to not hesitate to tell her about it. She placed the glasses back on her nose and winked.

I joined the rhythmic torrent of adolescence. Cyndee had given me a locker number, 88, and I didn't want to wear the parka all day. The school was well heated. It didn't take long to find it. I took off the coat and noticed, again, several thrilled faces passing by. I felt like coiling up into the smallest ball possible. I kept my bag and closed the door.

"HEYA!"

"Ghyaaa," I screeched at his sudden outburst, falling with my back to the locker for support. He covered his mouth, startled himself, taking the whole of me in with an apologetic expression.

"I'm sorry; I didn't mean to scare you." His voice was demur, and his Asian face was poorly conditioned; puberty still reigned supreme in form of blemishes.

"I'm Eric," he offered me his hand with a pleasant smile. I shook it. As his head bounced up and down I noticed his greasy black hair did not. It was swept across his forehead to the right covering a bit of his eye there. He appeared to me as the typical comic relief, straight A's, gamer, and future leaders of America type of guy - especially with a lavender dress shirt and velvet white tie.

"You're Luca right?" I followed the direction of his muddy brown eyes and noticed my curriculum gaping at him, and my name draped across it. I smirked, and cocked my head to the side. Eric laughed shrugging his skeletal shoulders. "I tried."

Before I could begin he cut me off, "Listen, I'm the editor and chief of the school newspaper, and YOU are news guy so how about it? We're talking front cover here," he leered at me.

"Oh no, no, no, please don't. There must be something more interesting. Please I..." Eric put his hands up defensively, beckoning me to calm down.

"It's all good Luca. We can't run a story without the subject's prior consent anyway." A noticeable gush of relieve washed through me. "Thank God, the last thing I needed was my mugshot all over the school."

"What's your first class?"

"English," I answered quickly, and took a look at the curriculum. "I think it's with Mr. Beard." "Really? That's either highly appropriate or a poor victim of heartless teenagers."

"Oh great, me too I can walk you over," Eric sang. I pretended to join his song and we started down the hallway. It wasn't far. I walked into a room reeking of old crisp paper. I felt at home. One side and the entire back row of the room was plastered with considerable amounts of books. I looked ahead to the desk where I found a small graying man drinking some hot brew.

"Mr. Beard? This is Luca, he's new." Eric introduced me and waited patiently at my side. Mr. Beard. "That name, geez. Now, now, no judging or making fun of." Mr. Beard had a big wrinkly nose that overshadowed most of his other features like his receding hair line, rectangular-shaped eyes like raisins, and a small but wide mouth. He stumbled towards me shaking my hand, and I handed him the yellow slip to sign. Heartedly he told me in a hoarse voice how pleased he was with a new addition and patted my back. He was nice, I liked him, and I really did.

He placed me next to a girl with an oval face encircled by dark curly hair reminding me of bark, and shimmering blue eyes; even seated she appeared to have a small stature. She was mousy, small lips and a curved nose I saw before she began to speak. "Hi, my name's Jessica." I shook her hand and returned the greeting. A minute long I answered her diverse questions: Phoenix, Arizona. Because my mother is traveling. My dad, he's the police chief. Yes, I like English. No, I don't have Facebook. Really. No, I'm single. Other student's in front of us were listening in, Mr. Beard (who by the way had no beard), placed me in the back for which I was very grateful.

Class began and it was a day to review. They had studied Shakespeare these past two months, specifically Romeo & Juliet and Hamlet. I knew the plays well so I was confident. We spent the entire hour and a half reviewing. He offered me to sit out of the test but I respectfully declined, assuring him I could do it. He smiled, impressed, and went on with the lesson. Then, towards the end of the class and once everyone had packed up he offered a sudden bonus question worth ten points. He asked for someone to tell him the final line of Romeo & Juliet, spoken by the Prince.

I remained mute. A few hands shot up but they jumbled some of the words, others excluded some entirely. Mr. Beard grew exasperated. Finally, after viewing the spectacle for too long I collected my courage, looked down, and spoke, "For never was a story of more woe Than this of Juliet and her Romeo." Jessica in the seat next to me stirred when she heard my sudden cry. She had almost gotten it but confused "this" with "that". "Define irony, yet again..."

"Ah, well done Mr. Swan. Does Romeo & Juliet tickle your fancy?" I nodded, looking up and seeing far too many eyes glued to me. Tickle? Oh well...

The bell rang and released me from the spotlight. I collected my papers, bag, and bonus points and rapidly made for the exit. I could still feel the blush on my cheeks.

I had calculus next. I followed Cyndee's instructions asking Mrs. Dorothy to sign the slip. There was no one I knew in this class, not Jessica or Eric. I sat in the back alone which was just as well. Calculus I admit, freely, was one of those sadistic courses I catalogued under "cruel and unusual punishment".

"I'm not planning on being a mathematician. Why the hell do I have to learn about mile long formulas? I'll forget in a matter of weeks anyway. Yo, Mrs. Dorothy has something green stuck in her teeth. Shouldn't someone tell her? Seems embarrassing..."

I copied the notes Mrs. Dorothy scribbled down on the blackboard and furiously battled internally between both loathing and hating calculus.

"Saved by the bell," I mumbled. I looked at the schedule and would now have to find study hall with Mrs. White. Out in the hallway I was approached by Jessica. "Hey Luca."

I returned her friendly smile, "Hey Jessica." She tiptoed and scanned my curriculum, I offered it to her.

"Oh cool we have the same study hall. I can show you." Even though I was glad she knew the way, the questions she bombarded me with were affluent. There was no end to them. I now began to realize the horror of Cyndee's prophecy.

Study hall was an exaggerated term for sitting around thirty minutes and doing nothing. Jessica was quite the chatterbox, and outspoken. It made her appear bigger than she was, and towered over others. I was introduced to another girl called Angela who was like a beanstalk (taller than me), but who had gentle clear eyes of cinnamon. There were streaks of honey winding through her wavy hair of buckeye reminiscent of roads moving through a thick forest. I liked her immediately, I really did.

Lunch offered a more... precarious situation. I didn't get much from the food presented. Luckily there was a salad bar so I made sure to pillage what I could.

"Not much for meats?" Angela asked her voice soft. I shook my head propelling a pecan into my mouth. "Vegetarian."

She closed her eyes, moaning longingly. "I've been trying for so long to abstain too but it's so hard." With my free tray less hand I tapped her back, comforting her.

"Just keep trying. It'll fall into routine. After awhile you won't even miss that garbage anymore. Just think, do I really want to turn my stomach into a graveyard?"

Angela frowned down at her hamburger, her eyes grew, almost like they were about to pop when I offered her my philosophy. "Think I'll just eat the fries today." I laughed at her, tossing a cherry tomato down my throat.

"What's funny?" Jessica came up behind us. "I made Angela lose her appetite for beef." Jessica looked back and forth between us. She didn't understand but laughed anyway and I saw an envious tingle as her brows furrowed looking between the both of us. The lunch room was spacious and wide. There were mostly rows of tables but a few circular ones as well. We sat towards the back.

Once seated, the situation occurred. I was about to take the first mouthful of my salad when I felt a sudden pressure on my thigh. I looked up surprised and saw a girl with silvery long corn silk hair wrapping an arm around my neck. She pecked my cheek, "Welcome you." I drew back immediately in the chair, completely taken aback. She struggled with the sudden jolt but managed to keep herself seated on my thigh.

"I didn't mean to scare you, just wanted to be welcoming." Her voice sounded like plastic, cheap and hollow along with a nasally undertone. She had big eyes that were violet, and a thin waist. "Your typical Malibu Barbie."

"Geez Lauren, next time just aim for the mouth." The voice seemed familiar. It was the boy that had commented on my truck earlier, the one with the baby face and pale features. She sneered at him, "Hush," but I couldn't take it anymore. As gentlemanly as I could I got to my feet. I made sure although with shaky hands to hold her so she wouldn't fall. I swallowed discreetly, hoping I hadn't hurt her feeling's. I really did.

"I'm Luca, and... thanks... for that," I offered abashed. I didn't want to demonstrate my chagrin at her action so I tried smiling. Again, a gush of relieve washed over me as she didn't seem to notice.

"I'm Lauren." "So I noticed Barbie girl."

"I'll see you around Luca. Maybe we even have some classes together, that'd be great wouldn't it?"

"Just smile and nod."

She quickly danced off then. I sank back into my seat looking at the curious faces of Jessica, Angela, and Eric. "She's such a slut!" Jessica spat, appalled.

"Jess," Angela scolded her.

"What? It's true Angela. Don't act like she's not. Who jumps into someone's lap they don't know and slobbers all over them?" I was beginning to like Jessica a bit. She was honest. Although I wondered what she'd do if your back was turned to her, like Lauren's was. Was this it?

"I'm Mike Newton," I snapped out of my trance when he offered me his hand which was a sweaty.

"All the way from Arizona huh? No tan?" My shoulders twitched, "No, it's why I was airlifted out." Concerning events of day's past that phrase could be authentic.

While they laughed gleefully I eyeballed the room. Over several heads something caught my attention, and my eyes focused. I saw a tall girl, statuesque with an incredibly beauteous presence. She wore a self-assured smile with delicate and angelic lineaments. She seemed to emit an aura that would make any other girl around her grow evanescent - a model by any definition with flowing golden hair. She was joined by a huge guy. "David would have nothing on this Goliath," I thought. His muscles prickled through his sallow pullover. There was a childish expression embedded in his face, and dimples lining either side of his mouth. He was burly, filled out, and had dark lock's that enriched his mien.

"Who are they?" I asked Angela next to me but didn't look at her.

"Hm?" Out of the corner of my eye I saw her following my gaze. "Oh, those are the Cullen's." Jessica hastily joined in the conversation not wanting to be left out.

"That pretty girl is called Rosalie, and the skyscraper next to her is Emmett." My left eyebrow trembled when Jessica said "skyscraper", it was an understatement. He could easily bend me into a pretzel.

"Those two behind them are Alice, a weird one, and the blond one next to her is Jasper. Again, like on any other day he looks like he's in pain."

"Those names are rather out-of-date, no?"

I measured the small girl who was very thin, with deep midnight spikes like spears of hair that stuck out in all directions. The boy next to her was lanky though his form like "Emmett's" seemed defined although not as brawny. Like "Rosalie" his hair too was honey blond and fell down to his collar. Pain? I rudely interrupted Jessica, not having heard anything she said in the first place just then.

"Pain? I wouldn't attest to that. He seems to be concentrating more than anything," I became enveloped and hypnotized by them.

"Now that you say it," Angela began, "I think you're right. I never noticed that before."

"They're still a weird bunch," Mike commented, rolling his eyes.

"Why?" He took a bite of his burger chewing quickly to answer me but Jessica filled the gap.

"Well first of all they live together, and are like, TOGETHER. Dr. Cullen and his wife adopted them. Rosalie and Jasper are twins, and I believe Alice and Emmett are supposed to be related too. It's sick, I think."

Again, Angela scolded her. "Jess, they aren't related. Dr. Cullen and his wife just adopted them. I think it makes them good people."

Jessica snorted, "Whatever."

"Him too?" My mouth parted slightly, and I felt a sudden shift in my center when I saw him. He ambled, and I might add gracefully, into the room. I felt myself rising in my seat straining for a better look. He was just as tall as "Jasper" but in comparison darker, might as well have been the other side of the color spectrum. They were all pale but his complexion was more olive toned, almost bronzed; luminous. His upper body appeared a perfect V, and was a cross between "Emmett" and "Jasper". I made out his hair as dark brown like walnut but with a queer luster of auburn. Unfortunately he was too far away to see much more.

"Yeah," Angela answered. "That's Edward Cullen. The one that everyone wants but no one can get." I tore my eyes off of him.

"I think he's just high on himself," Jessica commented after drinking from her bottle of water. "Why do you say that?" I'm not sure why but her review irritated me.

"Well, come on, there are plenty of pretty girls around over eighty percent of which have asked him out but he's turned them all down. I'm sorry but like, what are you looking for dude?"

"So you asked him out, he turned you down, and now you're spiteful?" "Damn, here we go again."

Jessica froze, a French fry suspended in front of her mouth. Angela, Mike, and Eric paused too. My brows curved, pushing together, and I looked down.

"Everyone has their own opinion, expectations even. We shouldn't condemn and advocate to a rumor mill because of our inadequacy to understand someone foreign. If we never inquire or take interest in them just because they were honest then I wonder what's wrong with us all. If anything I think we can agree that we should mind our own business, and let go of things we can't have."

Silence, and with it went my appetite. "There you go again. You're bluntness will tarnish any reputation you might have had. I can't help it." I winced when Jessica spoke up.

"Well I didn't mean it like that." "Liar. Yes you did. The tenor of your voice was resentful."

Stealthily I peeked at them. Jessica's mouth was open, and her face red. Mike, I think, tried not to laugh, and I watched oily patches of sweat appear on Eric's forehead. Angela's expression surprised me. She just smiled, smoothly. I felt like she wanted to say something but restrained herself.

Lunch continued, soundlessly. I think I had just ruined my first day. Why I was defending someone I didn't know... No clue.

After the bell rang and our trays were deposited Mike hurried to my side. "Biology right?" His smile was just, and loyal. I needed that.

"Yes, I could use a light in the dark." He adjusted his backpack, grinning from ear to ear and led me on clear over to the other side of the building.

"I think that was pretty cool." I was flustered and unsure how to respond. I didn't say anything at all.

The biology lab was like any other. It was filled with virco wood science tables, and iron stools with black cushions. In the back I beheld the Periodic Table, diagrams of the human DNA helix, several framed collages of butterflies and moths, and many greens. "Who's this?"

A man of mediocre length and short cropped ebony hair approached us, smiling however. "This is Luca Mr. Banner. He is the new guy." Mike threw me a last friendly grin and went about to his seat, next to Jessica. She didn't look up at me.

"Oh, yeah, heard you were coming Mr. Swan." Mr. Banner signed my slip and handed me a big dark green book. "We're working on some jellyfish slides today with the microscope; exploring the cell's of Turritopsis Dohrnii, the immortal."

"Oh, yes, the one from the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Japan who can revert back to a polyp state." Mr. Banner eyed me.

"Have you done this before?"

"Yes, last year during tenth grade." He crossed his hands, folding them beneath his armpits. "Were you in an advanced science class?"

I nodded, uneasy. Mr. Banner leaned into me, "Well then keep the answers to yourself until I call on you Mr. Swan." His face was amiable with a hint of good humor. "Go ahead and take a seat."

I turned looking for an unoccupied stool. There was one, only one. It was next to Edward. I felt my heart leap to my throat. It was then when I noticed his eyes. They shone; they were like beryls or a radiant topaz but shaded like an eclipse overtaking the sun. His posture was peculiar. The right hand was pulled into a rigid fist while the other clutched the desk. It was too late when I perceived his savage gaze breaking straight into me.

I came around the desk when I tripped; foolishly, I grabbed hold of the desk and pretended to spin into my seat crossing one leg over the other. "Niiice. But lucky for you, I don't think anyone noticed."

Against my better judgment and with some angst I looked over at him. Those liquid golden eyes, they bore right into me. I finally had a good look at him. He seemed like a cherub. I had been right about the auburn hidden away in his dark walnut hair. He wore it easily. The locks swayed across his head in an untidy mess. His lips were pouted, pillowy, and burgundy like sweet candy sitting on his squared face. Though he reminded me of a cherub, his face was still masculine with a perfect straight nose. I had been right about his complexion; it was like that of an Italian or Spaniard. But it was silky, creamy, and like I observed before - incandescent.

Edward lifted his fist to his nose and broke away from my curious stare. I noticed his shoulders moving but not his chest. "Weird... I showered."

I feigned stretching, my fingers intermingling in front of me as I turned my head away from him and took a quick whiff. "I smell fine."

Mr. Banner started the class. He told them what he promised me before the course started. We weren't allowed to pick partners and would work with whoever we sat next too. He pointed at the microscopes over on our left by the windows. He handed out the slides of the jellyfish cells, and told us to chronicle what we observed. By the end of the class he wanted a thorough report.

Several people got up to get a microscope. I was about to follow when Edward extended his arm and clasped one around the body tube and sat it in-between us - almost threw it, really. His arms overlapped in front of him as he inched away from me. "I can't believe I'm thinking this but was Jessica right?"

Mr. Banner willed us to start. I took one of the slides and secured it beneath the pinchers on the stage. I switched on the microscope, adjusted the lens and eyed the cells. I took a pencil and began taking notes. I should really offer all my teachers some sort of Rosetta stone; my handwriting is harrowing, it really is. When I finished I leaned in to remove the slide when a noise from the seat next to mine caught me off guard.

Edward cleared his throat. I looked at him bewildered. His eyes were afflicted with anger, viciousness, and disdain I thought. They moved from me to the microscope and back.

"Partners?" His voice was dulcet but also profound with a sharpness that made me shudder. I withdrew my hands underneath the table and bit my lower lip, breaking away from his eyes. He lifted the microscope over to him and with a mere look through started jotting down some notes instantaneously. I pushed the rest of the slides over to him, not daring a single peek.

I suddenly felt all the zeal and hope I had this morning evaporate. I sunk my head, "What did I do to him? Why is he so angry? I didn't even have the chance to say hello. I want to go home. Please let this day be done already. First Jessica, and now this?! Get a hold of yourself."

I reached out for my notebook. The slide I had seen was identical to the one in Phoenix last year. I had done this assignment before, and I remembered it well. I started writing a report. The microscope slid back over to me. I didn't look back up at him and opted to just shake my head. I didn't feel like doing this anymore, and I felt a fury slowly awakening inside me.

Twenty minutes passed, I think. I had written half a paragraph and was almost finished. I added a few extra observations that I could recall from last year and dropped the notebook back on the polished table top. Now what was I to do with the other seventy or so minutes? This was all we were going to do...

I summoned some courage from the very pits of myself and looked back at him. His eyes were waiting for me though his head was turned to the front of the room. My heart sped up, its tempo reaching an unsteady crescendo. I then felt that knock in my head and the inability to accept this; just like with Jessica. How much time was lost between these moments?

"Problem?" I twisted my face, expressing my displeasure. He blinked, an egregious shock spread across his cherubic face. His eyes widened at first before deep shadows began to appear beneath them. It looked like he wanted to kill me.

"Well?" I pushed. I shouldn't have. I thought of Charlie's comment this morning about the mountain lions, and imagined Edward getting ready to pounce like a lion tearing me from limb to limb.

He moved his head like a pendulum swinging from side to side, stiff and leisurely. His pouted lips drew to a wicked grin as he eyed me. "Little Devil."

My heart stopped when the bell rang. I broke away from him and looked at the clock. It couldn't have been. "How did I lose so much time? We couldn't have stared each other down for so long? Did it take longer than I thought to write out my homework?"

I looked back over to Edward but it was too late, he was gone. Mr. Banner appeared like a ghost in front of me. "Luca? You alright?"

"Err, yes..." I cleared my throat. I wrote down the date and my name on the assignment, ripped it out of the pad and handed it to him. I collected my things and stormed out ignoring Mike and Jessica who watched me, puzzled.