The next day was better and worse.
It was better because the sky wasn't full of rain, instead, the clouds were gray. I found school much easier today, I knew what to expect, in Maths Lizzie sat with me.
It was worse because Jasper and his brother Edward never showed up. I spent most of the morning planning what I would say to Jasper in History. I wanted to know why he hated me so much but when I walked into the lesson, the chair he sat in was empty and it stayed that way. In the end, it didn't bother me that Jasper was absent but there was part of me that felt guilty. It was my fault that Jasper didn't come to school today. That's what I kept telling myself during History.
After school, I met Bella at the truck and we drove to the supermarket. Last night both of us discovered that Charlie couldn't cook so we ended up ordering Pizza. We put the shopping away and started to make dinner. I put three jacket potato's in the oven and Bella made a sauce for the steak and put it the fridge. We would grill it later.
Bella and I went to work on our homework while we waited for Charlie to come in. Before I started mine, I checked my emails. I had three new messages from Mum. Bella probably had the same, Mum always worried about us.
The first email said
Millie, how are you? Hows Forks? Is it raining? Phill and I are almost finished packing for Florida. Do you know where I put my pink blouse? I've asked Bella the same thing. I miss you. Love Mum.
The second one said
Millie, why haven't you emailed me yet? What are you waiting for? If you read this before Bella then tell her to answer her message as well.
The third one said.
Millie, if I haven't from you by tomorrow then I'm calling Charlie.
I pressed the reply button and started to type.
Hi, Mum. I'm writing now. Don't do anything rash. Millie
I sent that message and then started again.
Mum, everything is fine. It's always raining in Forks. I didn't have much to write about. School is ok, everybody seems nice but maybe a little bit too welcoming. I've met some nice people who I sit with a lunch. Your blouse is at the dry cleaners, you need to pick it up. I miss you lots as well, but I'm not going to check my emails every five minutes. Relax, everything will be ok. Love Millie
I pressed send.
Charlie came home a few hours later. He took his boots off and hung up his belt.
"Hi Dad," I said. Charlie smiled.
In the kitchen, Bella was doing the final preparations for dinner. I got three plates out the cupboard and Bella put the steak and potatoes on the plates.
Nobody spoke for the first couple of minutes, then Charlie decided to break the silence.
"How was school?" Charlie asked.
"It was ok. I made friends with a girl called Lizzie" I said.
"Well, I have a few classes with a girl named Jessica. I sit with her friends at lunch. And there's this boy, Mike, who's very friendly. Everyone seems nice" Bella said.
"That must be Mike Newton. Nice kid, his family are nice too. They own the sporting goods store just outside of town. He makes a good living off all the backpackers who come through here" Charlie said.
I tried to imagine why so many people would choose to hike around this area, it rained most of the time but then I realized that the forests were beautiful.
"Do you know the Cullen family?" Bella asked.
"Dr. Cullen's family? Yeah, Dr. Cullen is a great man" Charlie said.
"The children seem a little different to most of the kids at school," I said. Charlie looked at Bella and I. I had never seen Charlie look angry before now.
"People in this town. Dr. Cullen is a brilliant surgeon who could probably work in any hospital in the world, make ten times the salary he gets here. He's an asset to the community and all the kids are well behaved and polite. I had my doubts when they moved here but there all very mature. I've had no trouble from any of them. They stick together as well, the way a family should, camping trips every other weekend. Just because they're newcomers, people have to talk." Charlie said. "Wow, that was some speech," I thought to myself.
"They seem nice, but there all very beautiful," I said. Charlie smiled.
"You should see the doctor. It's a good thing he's happily married. A lot of nurses have a hard time concentrating when he's around." Charlie said.
After dinner, I helped Bella tidy up and then went upstairs to work on my history homework. The rain had stopped for now and the night was peaceful.
Jasper Hale didn't show up for the rest of the week. I'd look at the Cullen's every time they entered the canteen, but Jasper and Edward never joined them. I would then join in with the conversation about the upcoming beach trip to La Push. Bella and I had agreed to go.
The following Monday, Bella pulled into the school parking lot. People smiled and said hello to us as we walked past them. It was really cold this morning, so I was wrapped up in my hat and scarf. I ordered it online after noticing that Forks had no fashion shops. Maths wasn't too bad, the teacher gave us a maths quiz. I was confident that I had done well.
Lizzie and I walked outside after Maths to go to our next class. The air was full of white bits. Everyone seemed excited.
"It's snowing," Lizzie said.
"Cool," I said. I had never seen snow before. It was interesting watching the white swirls settle on the ground.
At lunch time I walked into the canteen with Angela. Everyone was talking about the snow and some were planning to have a snowball fight in the parking lot after school. I planned on avoiding it. The door opened again and the Cullen's walked in. Jasper and Edward were with them this time. I was nervous now. I took a quick look at the table. They were laughing, Edward, Jasper, Emmett and Josh's hair was covered in snow. I watched them, they were having fun like the rest of us. Only it looked a scene from the movies.
I noticed that there was something different about Jasper, his skin was not as pale and the shadows under his eyes were less noticeable. He turned and looked at me but I quickly looked away. Bella was still looking at Edward.
"Bella, Millie what are you looking at?" Jessica asked.
"Edward Cullen and Jasper Hale are staring, at you," Lizzie said.
"They don't look angry do they?" I asked.
"No, why?" Jessica asked.
"I don't think that Jasper likes me," I said.
"The Cullen's don't like anybody, well they don't notice anybody enough to like them. But he's still staring at you Millie" Lizzie said.
"Can you stop looking please?" I asked.
Lizzie turned around. We joined in the conversation for the rest of lunch.