Chapter Two
I awoke the next morning the familiar sound of rain across my window's surface. I dragged myself out of the warm inviting bed. I slipped on a pair of black slacks and a blue sweater covered by a plain black jacket. I rushed down stairs to fix breakfast only to find Charlie was already gone. I decided to skip eating entirely.
I brought my big faded red truck to life and it grumbled in protest as I trudged it down the road almost blocking out the sound of pelting rain. There was a shadow that played around the sun so well hidden behind black clouds. That misty shadow fogged across the ground making it hard to see the world around me. It was encaging and it felt like I was where I belonged. Trapped away and isolated from the world around me.
I arrived at the school right on time and noticed a buzz of excitement. What was going on? The only thing that could be happening this time of year would be a craft fair but the school was never this riled up before. I looked to the school bulletin board. Nothing. I hurried to my class confused. That's when I heard the talk.
"Oh-my-GOD!" I heard a girl named Jessica practically yell at the top of her lungs. "Have you heard?" Jessica asked not waiting for a response. "There are, like, new kids coming to-day!" She said causing the girls around her squealed in excitement. "And as a plus I heard they are like super hot, but like all together." Jessica huffed in what I guessed to be disgust. "And they all like live together too." I had to admit it was weird, I heard that it was normal for kids to live together once in high school and eighteen. "They all are like adopted by this guy and his wife and the only one with out a match is Edwin." Jessica flailed her hands in what she probably thought brought drama but if I had not known better would have called the nurse for seizures.
"So like wait." Lauren interrupted. "They are coming here today?" Her voice was perky and snotty.
"Yeah!" Jessica said seeming proud to have all the info and attention which class was in on it now. But at this point I was tuned out. They deserved better than the gossip. The teacher was hardly able to quiet the room to tell us of the short stories we would have for homework before the bell rang. All my classes were like this all the way up to lunch were I would see the reason behind all the excitement.
I walked trying to avoid the hits of all the rushing bodies in the hall. The halls were even louder with the new wave of excitement. I let my long sheet like hair fall in front of my face for cover.
When I had entered the lunchroom I saw that all the tables were taken. I sighed and looked to the window and there was an ounce of goodness there. Though the world was still covered in fog, rain was not falling from the sky. I walked swiftly to the door and walked out into the cold. I breathed in the smell of the cold and sat on one of the soggy wooden benches pulling my legs to my chest my hair falling over the bench. I then heard voices low and fast coming closer. I turned my head resting on my knees to see a group of four beautiful kids coming to sit at one of the wooden tables. They sat at the table on next to me. I hid my face in my knees tearing my curious eyes from them. I was sure they had too many stares already. I heard the door open and the model like blonde say, "Oh, great. Here they come."
"Hi there I'm Jessica." I peeked up to see Jessica and a group of people with their trays standing close to the new kids. "Can we eat out here with you guys?" Jessica asked. They just nodded mutely. Jessica, Lauren, Mike, and Eric sat at the table with the new kids and Angela and Tyler sat on the other side of my table. "So you are the Cullens, huh?"
"Yep! I'm Alice. This is Jasper." Alice moved a short arm to the boy next to her and he gave a small nod. "And that is Rosalie and Emmett." She pointed across the table and I noticed how big Emmett was. I coiled myself tighter thinking about how if he wanted to he could smash me with his finger. Mike thinking the same thing slid a little away from him. I saw Emmett smile and turn his head. Jessica then asked them endless questions for about seven minutes before the Cullens shied away. "Sorry but we don't want to be late to class." Alice said making it clear it was not an open invitation. Once they left so did Jessica and the gang. Jessica seeming unhappy about them not gushing at her feet was stomping away.
I sighed in relief. No one had noticed me. I started to rain. I unfolded myself and grabbed my binder ignoring the throbbing in my arm from tight pose. I walked into the cafeteria and saw a clear bench in the hall. I pulled myself onto the bench my knees at my chest. I sat there lost in thought till I noticed I had zoned and slipped into the crowd. I ducked through the bodies and backpacks. And was almost to my class when I was suddenly slammed into the blue metal lockers causing me to gasp in pain and slide down to the floor. I looked up and saw just moving bodies not giving me a second glance.
"Are you alright?" I heard a velvet voice ask. I turned toward him keeping hidden behind my hair. I gaped. He was gorgeous! His copper hair fell in front of his golden eyes and a hand was stretched towards me as he bent his knees bringing him closer to me. He looked like an angel. Maybe he was. I just nodded looking down mutely. How had he seen me?
I got up on my own wincing as I felt a bruise form on my arm. "T-thank…y-you." I choked out. It was the first time I had ever really spoken to someone my age in what felt like years.
"Did you hurt your arm?" He seemed concerned for some reason I couldn't understand.
"I'm f-fine." I whispered. I saw him about to argue but he let it drop.
"What is your next class?" He asked me suddenly. I looked into his eyes and blurted out that I had Biology with Mr. Banner. "That's my class too. I'll walk with you." He grabbed my stuff before I could reject and I didn't have the guts to. "My name is Edward Cullen. What is yours?" Edward asked me sweetly speaking low and careful to me as if I would run off. Which I did feel was my best option, but I was also drawn to Edward.
"B-Bella Swan." I stuttered internally kicking myself for not being able to control my shaking voice. Edward smiled at me, though.
"Bella, your name fits you." Edward so carefully and slowly pulled back my hair and looked at me. He was the first who I felt saw me and it felt as if my heart had been freed from the chains that I had thrown over it to shield my heart fall off at this one glance. I looked up to Edward's eyes and they were filled with an emotion I had never seen mixed in with confusion. Edward opened his mouth and- suddenly the warning bell rang. "We should get to class." Edward spoke voice ruff. I looked to the floor. What was this fiery feeling?
Edward walked me to my desk and set my stuff down. "Thanks." I said and Edward's only response was a beautiful crooked smile. The bell rang then causing a flood at the door and Edward to rip his eyes from me so he could walk to the front of the room to greet the teacher.
Mr. Banner was shocked by Edward's glorious appearance, though he tried not to show it. He quickly signed the paper and told Edward to introduce himself. Before Edward started Mr. Banner quieted the class. "Alright, everyone! We have a new student today." In that few seconds of that sentence everyone stared with wide eyes at Edward in front of the room.
"Hello." Edward said in his velvet voice causing many people to let their jaws drop. "I'm Edward Cullen. I just moved here from Alaska with my family. I am adopted and will now be attending school with you this year. Please take care of me." Edward asked formally and I was surprised girls weren't squealing but maybe they were in shock. He seemed to take everyone's breath away and not just mine. Edward was then told to take the only open seat, which happened to be at my table. Maybe I did have some luck.
Edward sat down quickly yet so gracefully in the plastic blue chair that was normally empty and lifeless. A swell filled my heart and I told myself he just didn't have anywhere else to sit. But that does not mean I could stop myself from having that trace of hope. It was very hard to concentrate on the teacher when Edward was sitting just a seat away from me. I felt like a preppy girl swooning over a jock and I loathed myself for it. I was relieved when the bell rang. I was about to gather myself when I heard Edward speak.
"Bella?" Edward asked me softly his head ducking to look down at my crouched figure causing his hair to spill into his liquid topaz eyes. I looked up eager but confused about why he was talking to me. "What hour do you have held for next?" Edward questioned sounding like he came from a different time.
"Gym in building six," I replied so quietly it was almost a whisper. Edward's face fell slightly. "I'm sorry." I said quickly repentant.
"For what?" Edward smiled looking confused but chuckled.
"Making you unhappy." I looked down sadly. It physically hurt me to know I made his unhappy.
"Bella," Edward whispered and when I didn't look up he lifted my chin softly with is cold fingers. His touch was electrifying. "You didn't make me unhappy. The fact we have different classes and less time to talk makes me unhappy." Edward's words made me soar. But who was to say he didn't say that to every girl? Well at least he knew I existed. Edward laughed gently as my face grew hot. "We need to get to class."
Edward walked close to me in the hall protecting me from all the almost fatal collisions with other people. And I felt protected. My mind was so jumbled. Why had Edward looked twice? Why did he even care about me? I longed to know what he saw when he looked into me.
"Bella?" Edward called me back from my rollercoaster mind. I looked up at him only to have rain fall on my face. I blinked rapidly against the droplets till they suddenly stopped. I opened my eyes in surprise. Edward stood over me blocking the icy rain the rain dipping from his glorious hair. "Your class?" Edward gestured to my door and I blushed.
"Thanks. I got l-lost." I pointed slowly to my head and Edward laughed seeming to understand. Then so swiftly he ran the back of his hand across the side of my face leaving a fiery trail.
"I wonder what you think about." Edward's face held bemusement. His eyes lost in mine and I in his. Edward broke it first and once I was released I stared at the familiar floor. "Goodbye, Bella." Edward whispered before turning and leaving quickly.
I rushed quickly through the gym's doors flustered. My face felt as if it could heat the room. I changed quickly into my small shorts and t-shirt that held our school logo on them. I had always hated gym but at least they never asked anything of me.
We were just running today. And I think I was the only one happy with that. I loved the feeling it brought. It felt as though in those moments you could just run and leave the world behind you. It was peaceful yet tiring. The coach stopped us a few minutes before the bell so we could change. I changed in no hurry, slowly peeling the sticky clothes from my body. The bell rang for school to be out just as I was walking out of the girl's dressing room.
Like I did everyday I went to the box where letters written to Toy-win were collected. It was a cardboard box covered in thin bright colored paper with Toy-win scribbled on top. I lifted the box with care and headed to the door.
I stepped out into the cloudy day. I lifted my face to the cold crying sky to see the raindrops come as if out of thin air. I tried to imagine the sky bright and blue but failed. Sighing I walked to my big red truck and unlocked the door. The door squeaked and whined in protest. It was slick on the roads like everyday.
When I arrived home I briskly finished my homework. It wasn't hard but time consuming. I decided to make dinner before opening the letters for Toy-win. I looked in the fridge and determined that some fish would do since we had so much from Charlie's little fishing trips. Sometimes I wish he could not fish at all. I put the fish in the pan and cooked some green beans and potatoes. Charlie came home then.
"Hey, Bells!" He greeted me stepping on the back of his boots to take them off and hanging his belt. "It smells good." Charlie complemented snooping into the kitchen to see what I was making. He smiled telling me he was pleased with my choice.
"Thanks." I muttered embarrassed. Charlie patted me on the head before walking into the living room. I let my thoughts drift and they brought me Edward. I thought about his beautiful golden eyes and his sweet gentle voice. Just the thought of him was driving me crazy. The sizzling of the fish brought me back to reality and I moved it off the burner swiftly causing some burning oil to splash my hand. 'Ow!"
"You alright, Bells?" Charlie called concerned from the couch.
"Yeah. It's done." I told him. I heard him grunt as he pushed himself up off the couch and practically run to the table. I giggled. "Did you forget to eat your lunch, again?" Charlie mumbled and looked down and I took that for a yes. I set Charlie's plate on the table and he didn't hesitate. I joined him. We ate in silence but we both liked it that way. There was nothing to be said and we did not force it. It was comfortable. When we were done I placed the dishes in the sink and was about to start cleaning but Charlie intervened.
"You do enough. Let me get this, Bella." I was going to argue but then I thought of the stacks of letters waiting for my reply. I sighed and nodded walking out of the room and grabbing my stuff before heading up the stairs to my room. I placed my things on the bed and changed into a camisole and some Pooh-Bear boxers. I pulled my hair into a ponytail and began to answer the letters.
I was on the last one, finally. I opened the envelope to reveal a perfectly folded piece of notebook paper. There was something about this paper that drew me to it. I lifted the top from the bottom slowly. Inside was a beautiful font; I could imagine long elegant fingers pushing a pen across the paper forming beautiful letters. I slowly read taking in every mark.
______________________________________________________
Dear The One You Will Never Notice,
Are you well? It saddens me to think you are not noticed. Do you think that you are not noticed? Please, if you are lonely try to reach for something. It may be small but any goal you are able to strive for and win will show you who you can really be.
Sorry I know I am supposed to write about my own problems but I wanted to speak to you. Would you please tell me a little about you?
Sincerely,
The One Who Cares
Tears formed in my eyes. It was stupid that I would feel like this after someone I had never met wrote me a letter for me. But I couldn't help it. This was the kindest thing someone had ever done for me. I took out my own paper and picked up my own pen. As I wrote my hand shook with my emotion.
______________________________________________________
Dear The One Who Cares,
I am unnoticed. I do not mean to sound bitter but to state the truth. I hurt sometimes but I am used to it and I have my imagination. So you need not worry about me. I am a girl trying to get through life. Right now my goal in life is to be invisible and I am quite good at it. Thank you, though. You are the first who cared.
Sincerely,
The One You Will Never Notice
I folded the paper as if it held my heart and if I made one false move it would shatter. I placed it gently in the envelope and tucked the flap under the lip. I placed it against my heart then put in onto of the box. I set all my things on the floor at the end of my bed. With one last deep breath I flipped the switch turning the lights off. This night instead of the feeling of being in darkness I felt the comfort of night.
So I made this chapter longer but I will not post or work tomorrow for it is my birthday, yes New Years Eve. It would be great to have some reviews please.