A/N: It's been who knows how long since I put up chapter 1, and many readers have urged me to continue. However, I seemed to hit a rut, for a reason unknown to me. I know how I want this story to play out, mostly, and I've been writing: I just stopped working on this. But I did it. This chapter has been written for quite a while, but I'm finally happy with it.
All reading this: you have cullenshumanpet to thank for this update, who just mentioned me in their author's note. They made me remember how long I've made you wait. And I know I hate waiting for updates. (yeah, I know, what a hypocrite). Everyone should go read their story: the legend of the golden wolf, It's great! But now, onto the long long long-awaited second chapter!
Chapter 2
Lunch with the Cullens
Mr. Parker then sent Edward to the only available seat, the one next to me. So much for having my own table. I sighed. I wonder how much he's already been told about me. With Lauren here, he's probably heard everything there is to hear. I sighed again.
I moved my books, but didn't look up as he sat down. I noticed he sat as far from me as the desk would allow, and was rigid, like he wasn't breathing. Class began, but I couldn't concentrate. Finally, I looked over at Edward, and when I saw his eyes, I flinched and quickly turned away. His eyes were coal black, staring at me with pure hatred.
This wasn't anything new, everyone hated me but Angela, but I hadn't expected him to hate me that much, this soon. He didn't even know me! Oh well, I had known when Ang told me there were new students that they were just more people to hate me.
I tried to pay attention to Mr. Parker, but I couldn't stop thinking about Edward Cullen. I could tell he was glaring at me the whole time, though I never looked up again. When the bell finally ran, he shot out the door as fast as humanly possible.
I sighed, gathered my books, and headed to gym, the worst class of the day. With a regular teacher, my injuries would keep me from playing gym, but Phil was the teacher, and nothing made him happier than watching me stumble around, so I was forced to play.
I managed to get through class without injuring anybody, which was a rare occasion. I walked down to my locker, where Ang was waiting, as usual.
"Hey, Ang." I said.
"Hey Bella! How was class?" she asked.
"Same as always, how 'bout you?" I asked. She laughed.
"It was great," she said, "Ben asked me out again!"
The weeks passed quicker than normal. The cut on my arm healed, leaving only a thin scar. Charlie and Phil ignored me, and soon I was healthier than I'd been in years. Edward Cullen and Tanya Denali didn't return to school, which was fine by me. I had my lab table back, and the Cullens still held most of the attention of the students. The weekends came and went, and when November came around, I was in a significantly brighter mood.
It was Tuesday the 24th, two days before Thanksgiving, when Edward returned. The day had started off fine, though I was not looking forward to the coming holiday. Then it was lunch time. I walked into the cafeteria with Ang, glanced over at the Cullens as usual, and froze. There were six people at the table.
"Are you okay?" Ang asked, worried.
"I'm fine. I think I'll just have a soda today," I said, and walked over to join her in the lunch line. I felt sick. We got our lunches and walked over to our table.
"Edward Cullen is staring at you," Ang whispered.
I sighed, and then asked, "He doesn't look angry, does he?"
"No, why?" she replied, confused.
"I don't think he likes me. Of course, we all know why that is." I joked, and Ang smiled. We ate lunch in silence, and soon the bell rang.
Ugh, Biology. What fun! (note the sarcasm)
I hurried off to class, and was relieved to find my table empty. I sat down, pulled out a notebook, and began doodling. I was brought out of my reverie when the chair next to me moved.
"Hello," said a quiet, musical voice.
I looked up, stunned that he was speaking to me. He was sitting as far away from me as the desk allowed, but his chair was angled toward me. His hair was dripping wet, disheveled – even so, he looked like he'd just finished shooting a commercial for hair gel. His dazzling face was friendly, open, a slight smile on his flawless lips. But his eyes were careful. (A/N: this section is taken almost word-for-word from Twilight)
"My name is Edward Cullen," he continued. "I didn't have a chance to introduce myself last month. You must be Bella Swan."
My mind was swimming with confusion. Had I made up the whole thing? He was perfectly polite now. I had to speak; he was waiting. But I couldn't think of anything conventional to say.
"Hi," how lame. Thankfully, Mr. Parker started class at that moment. We were doing a lab I'd already studied: identifying the phases of mitosis. We were the first ones done, which left me with nothing to do but try not to look at him… unsuccessfully. I glanced up, and he was staring at me, the same inexplicable look of frustration in his eyes. Suddenly I identified a subtle difference in his face.
"Did you get contacts?" I blurted out unthinkingly.
He seemed puzzled by my unexpected question. "No."
"Oh," I mumbled, "I thought there was something different about your eyes."
He shrugged and looked away.
In fact, I was sure there was something different. I vividly remember the flat black color of his eyes last lime he'd glared at me – the color was striking against the background of his pale skin and auburn hair. Today his eyes were a completely different color: a strange ocher, darker than butterscotch, but with the same golden tone. I didn't understand how that could be, unless he was lying about the contacts. Or maybe Forks was finally making me crazy in the literal sense of the word.
But then again, maybe I wasn't the only one with a secret. I looked back down, and returned to doodling on my notebook, thinking about home. I didn't notice what I had drawn until Edward pointed it out.
"Is that La Push?" he said, pointing to my notebook. I looked down and was startled by what I'd dawn. It was La Push, a picture of the Black's house, my weekend home. But instead of their house, it was my old house in Arizona. I looked back up to find Edward still waiting for an answer.
"Yeah," I said.
"Whose house is that? I've never seen it before." He asked.
"You wouldn't have." I said.
He looked confused, but before he could question me, Mr. Parker got up and showed us all on the projector what I'd seen in the microscope with ease. Then, with five minutes left of class, Mr. Parker let us talk.
"So, looking forward to Thanksgiving?" Edward asked.
"No," I said, frowning. Why did people have to keep bringing it up?
"Why not?" he asked, surprising me. It wasn't the first time students had questioned me, but no one had asked me like that – not like they were actually interested in anything I had to say. It was almost as if he… cared, though that was pretty far-fetched.
"Usually I spend the weekend in La Push, with the Blacks, but..." I trailed off.
"…but what?" he urged.
"They're going to California for the holiday." I said, still wondering why in the world he was talking to me. I couldn't complain, though: at least he'd stopped glaring.
Then the bell rang, and my sigh turned into a groan as Edward flew out of the room. Gym. To my surprise, though, Phil wasn't there, so class was 100 tomes better.
After work, I hurried home. Charlie and Phil were waiting. The night passed in the usual manner, and I went to bed dreading the holidays.
When I woke up, it was 10:40. I groaned; Phil would kill me if he found out I was late. Though, now I think about it, I have no idea why. I got showered, dressed, and rushed to school. No one missed me but Ang, and she was used to it. I was constantly sleeping in late. The rest of the morning flew by quickly, and before I knew it, it was time for lunch. Ang met up with me in the hallway, all excited about something.
"I had gym and biology with Alice Cullen," she said, "She invited us to eat lunch with her and her family today. I can't wait until you meet her, she's so nice!"
"Sounds good," I said, trying to hide my disappointment, and probably failing. Cullen? As in Edward I-Have-A-Multiple-Personality-Disorder Cullen?
"Hey, it'll be okay," Ang said reassuringly, "Alice is really nice. You guys will get along great!"
"Okay." I sighed, giving in.
"Hi!" Alice squealed, "You must be Bella!" I nodded.
"I'm Alice Cullen; this is my boyfriend Jasper, his twin Rosalie, her boyfriend Emmett, you know Edward, and this his girlfriend Tanya. Everybody, this is Angela Weber and Isabella Swan." The pixie squealed. I noticed everyone perk up at my name, but not in a good way, in a that's-the-freaky-girl-we-heard-about way.
"Bella," I said, and plopped down into the chair between Ang and Emmett. I didn't pay attention to the conversation, and I didn't look up at the Cullens. I just sat there and ate my lunch, thinking about how lovely it was that the new kids already knew my name (note the sarcasm). So I was shocked when it got silent and everyone began staring at me.
"What?" I asked.
"I just asked if you were okay." Alice said.
"Fine," I answered. I looked back down, but Alice seemed excited that I responded, for she immediately launched into what seemed like the Spanish Inquisition.
"Areyousure?Doyouneedanything?Doyouwanttogohome?Doyouwanttogoshopping?Doyouevenlikeshopping?Whatdoyouliketodo?Doyouhavealotoffriends?Aretherumorstrue?Doyouneedhelp?Doyou…" (Translation: Are you sure? Do you need anything? Do you want to go home? do you want to go shopping? Do you even like shopping? What do you like to do? Do you have a lot of friends? Are the rumors true? Do you need help? Do you..."
"Alice!" Edward interrupted her, shaking his head.
"What?" Alice asked.
"Not everyone can keep up with you, Alice." He said, exasperated.
"I'm just curious!" she huffed, irritated.
"Sorry about that," Jasper said, "So, you two are good friends?"
"Yeah," I said, sticking to one-word answers. Jasper didn't seem to notice.
"How long have you known each other?" he asked.
"We've been best friends since Bella came here, when we were six." Ang said. I flinched; I hated remembering my first year in Forks. It made me think of my mom. I could still picture her from that morning, smiling and giving me a big hug. I missed her so much. I was startled out of my memories by Jasper's alarmed voice.
"Bella, are you okay?" he asked.
"Fine," I said in a shaky voice, wiping away the traitorous tears, forcing my face to assume its normal expression: a blank, emotionless stare.
"Oh, I'm so sorry, Bella." Ang said quietly as she realized what had happened.
"Not you're fault," I whispered quickly, then changed the subject, "What were you saying?"
"Just that lunch is almost over." Jasper said.
"Oh, you guys should come over this weekend!" Alice said, "We could play Truth or Dare!"
"Yeah, and then we can see how good you are video games!" Emmett said. Ang looked at me guiltily.
"Go, Ang. Have fun." I said quietly, and I meant it. I wished I could go, hang out with friends, and be normal. But I'd never be normal, never have friends, and never be able to go out during the week, at least not until I graduated.
"Thanks," she mouthed to me, then turned back to Alice, "I'd love too!"
Alice looked confused. "You're invited too, Bella."
I gave her a small smile. "I wish I could, but I'm kind of grounded. I can't go anywhere except work and school during the week."
"I'm sorry, what'd you do?" she asked.
"Breathe," I mumbled, then said, "I was falling behind." If I ever laughed anymore, I would've had trouble not laughing at that. Charlie and Phil didn't care about grades, or anything else that had to do with me. And though no teacher liked me, I was a model student, with almost perfect grades. The bell rang, saving me from any further questioning.
A/N: There it is. Hope you liked it, if not, oh well. Chapter 3 should be up soon… Thanksgiving with Charlie and Phil? And I mean it this time, it will be up before May. R & R!