The first time Edward had shown that he was acknowledging my existence was that following Monday morning. I had left my house and headed to school as I did everyday. I placed my headphones in my ears and turned the volume on my iPod as loud as my ears could handle. The sky was a deeper grey and the air was filled with moisture. Winter would soon be passing and the air was still frigid at times. This morning was one of the colder days of the year. I reached in my bag and pulled out the gloves my mother had bought me throwing them on as fast as I could.
I could see all the familiar cars pass me, racing their way to school as I took my time walking slowly, enjoying the silence and even the cold. As I walked I wondered how today was going to be. It had been two days since the "raccoon" incident with Edward. Was he going to say hello to me? Or maybe even a smirk. I would take that smirk. I wondered how lunch would be. If he would realize who I was if he looked over to my table. As usual Edward plagued my mind as I walked along the street to my school.
This time I did notice the shiny Volvo as it passed me. I also noticed it as it slowed down and came to a complete stop several feet ahead of me. I slowed down my walking. No one got out of the car or even opened a window. It just stood there. That's when I stopped walking and pulled the earphones out of my ears. The drivers side door flew open and Edward climbed out. With his dark sunglasses over his eyes he smirked that heart stopping smirk as he leaned against his car.
"Do I need to give you door to door service?" His heavenly voice sang to me. I just looked back at him, unsure of what to do. "Are you going to get in or not?" He asked, the smirk still on his face. "Rosalie isn't here, they didn't have school today." My face was burning with flames of embarrassment. How would he know how uncomfortable Rosalie made me. I decided to push that comment to the back of my mind and started walking slowly towards his car.
"Alice left for school early this morning. You can sit in the front." He said as I tried with every drop of power I had to not smile with happiness. He waited until I was in the car before he sat down next to me. Being there in his car, alone with him my chest tightened with not only excitement - but fear. He pulled away heading to school. I kept my eyes ahead of us, but they wanted to look over at the perfect figure next to me.
We didn't talk much as he drove the rest of the way to school a bit too quickly for my taste. He continued a small conversation about college with me. Other then that, the car was silent of our voices. Classical music played in the background, but it was too low for me to make out the composer.
We pulled into the schools parking lot, the nerves in my stomach twisted as he came to a stop. My presence with the most perfect person in the entire school was going to cause gossip, something I wasn't used to. Edward, I was sure had come to terms with the stares, glances and talk about him and his family. People were intrigued by him. Fascinated to know that something of such beauty actually existed. Forks High School's student body would stare in shock by the contrast between Edwards extreme perfection and my painful plainness. The thought was making me weak in the knees. It was almost impossible to climb out of his car and I probably wouldn't have at all if Edward wasn't smiling down at me through the window. I shyly smiled back as he opened the door. Just great. Not only was I going to be walking along side him through a sea of people, but he was opening doors for me too.
The longing for Edward side of me was squeaking like a fan girl, while the more logical side was completely mortified. If Rosalie wasn't his sister, she was the girl I could see Edward with. Beautiful, confident and smart. Someone that other girls only wished they could be. But not only because she was on Edwards arm, but also because of who she was.
Edward walked so close to me as we made our way through the parking lot that our arms brushed against each other. Exciting jolts of emotion jumped through my body every time I felt him against me. This was more then I could ever imagine. I stole a glance his way. His head was down, a smile across his perfect lips. He looked - happy. Could he be happy walking along side of me?
"Do you see everyone?" Edward whispered to me. I was so consumed with Edward I hadn't noticed the stares and whispers as we walked together. I looked around at the eager faces. Eager for information of how Mr. Edward Cullen himself was walking with a girl. And Emma Mills of all girls. My face felt on fire. I threw my eyes to the floor trying to hide from the hundreds of eyes burning into me. Edward must have felt my tension. He threw his arm over my shoulder and pulled me closer to him. I looked up into his grinning face.
"What are you doing?" I asked looking around again.
"Really giving them something to talk about." I could hear him laugh. He was enjoying this. Every glare, every comment, every whisper. My embarrassment was covering the bursts of emotions I would have had if my head was clear. It wasn't until we finally reached inside the school and stopped in front of my locker that I truly grasped the idea of Edwards arm around me. His grip had been tight, I realized that now from the pain in my shoulder.
I opened my locker, my face still warm from my recent throw into the gossip world. I grabbed my books for my class as Edward stood next to me, his back against the conjoining lockers. His face was harder then before, his eyes scanning the faces of fellow students walking though the hall. He reminded me of a watch dog standing guard. I couldn't help but notice the thought in his eyes as he looked around.
"Are you alright?" I asked, closing my locker. I placed my books in my messenger bag and followed his hard stare. It seemed as if the entire student body had gone out of their way to pass my locker. Their eyes locked on us, their lips moving in whispers. I knew they were talking about us, and from the look on Edwards face, so did he. It was clear that he wasn't enjoying the attention anymore. Edward straightened himself out and looked down at me. With a small smile he nodded down the hall.
"I'll walk you to your class." My face grew hot again. The ice had been broken between us. The seal that I thought was too tough to even pierce was gone. I was walking along side him, talking to him and him listening to what I had to say. It was a dream come true. Edward finally knew I existed. We were actually…friends. We talked some as we walked down the hall to my first class. I had to bite my lip to keep from smiling. As we walked faces turned from their conversations to get an eyeful, a teacher stopped walking to do a double take at us. I could hear Edward laugh at that.
My stomach flipped when we stopped in front of my class. I didn't know what to say or how to act. He leaned against the wall and looked around. Emma dammit, don't let him leave without saying something. I took a deep breath and readied myself to speak. Except Edward beat me to it.
"I better see you sitting with us at lunch today." He smirked. Not only was he talking to me and walking with me, but now he wanted to have lunch with me. My boring life was starting to become interesting.
"I'll be there." Now it was silent. I think we were both looking for the right words. I didn't want him to leave, but the bell buzzed over our heads and I also didn't want him to be late for his own class. "Thanks for walking me to my class. I'll see you at lunch." I waved to him and he waved back. I looked over my shoulder one last time to see him, and he did the same to me. I didn't want to jump to conclusions, but that had to mean something good.
My classes flew by without my knowledge. I would walk into class, sit down in my seat and the next thing I knew the bell was ringing. I wasn't paying much attention and I couldn't expect myself to. I was a giddy child with excitement flowing through my stomach. His smell was still on my clothes from brushing against him and from the short ride in his car. That was the biggest distraction I think. Every time I would breathe a giant burst of Edward filled me senses.
I had only one more class until lunch and I felt like I was jumping out of my skin. I was on a cloud floating to class when Lillian's yelling stopped me. I turned to see Lillian and Carly stalking their way to me. I knew they had heard the latest news and wanted to know the real story from the source itself.
"So is it true?" Carly practically yelled.
"Of course its true. Look at her face." Lillian said smiling at me. No matter how hard I tried to stop it, my smile was there. My cheeks were on fire which was always my biggest giveaway. "How could you keep this from us?"
"Keep what? There's nothing to keep." I put all my weight on one foot and crossed my arms over my chest. I was starting to get fidgety. Something I did when I was nervous. Or in this case-put on the spot.
"Your seen by everyone in school with the no-touch Edward Cullen and you think you have nothing to hide." Lillian started her interrogation.
"It's nothing Lil, he's still no-touch Edward Cullen."
"Yeah, then explain you being seen with his arm draped around your shoulders?" I started to walk down the hall, Lillian and Carly at my sides. They weren't going to give up on this.
"He gave me a ride to school, that's all."
"Still isn't explaining the touching." Lillian sang.
"That, I 'm not even sure of." I stopped a few feet from my class and turned to Lillian. "Listen, his parents and my parents have become close. It was just a matter of time before we started talking I guess," the bell rang over us. It's so cliché to say - but I was saved by the bell. "I have to go. I'll see you guys later." I didn't give them a chance to stop me. I quickly turned and almost ran into my class. Only forty-five more minutes and I would see Edward again.
When the bell rang I was the first one to my feet. I heard a few whispers as I walked passed my fellow classmates. Let them talk. I was going to lunch with Edward. I was only a few feet from the cafeteria when a small cold hand grabbed my arm. I gasped, jumping slightly, I turned to a big smile.
"I called your name like ten times." Alice said, her voice too perky for a school day. "I had something to do so I missed Italian and didn't get to talk to you earlier. I have to ask you something."
"Anything." I said. I couldn't help but smile at her. Her sparkly eyes and big bright smile was making my day even better.
"Well, I offered to do the decorating for the End of Winter Dance this weekend. I already bought everything I need and Edward is going to help me get it all together. I was wondering if you would come to the dance with us." She said not even taking a breath.
"A dance? Oh, Alice. I don't think so. I don't dance, so I don't go to dances."
"Come on Em. You have to come. You have to see everything I have planned. Please." She pouted her bottom lip and blinked her eyes. She was giving me the 'pretty please' face and it was starting to work. But I knew how horrible I was at dancing and what would be the point of going to a dance, if you weren't going to actually dance.
"Alice, I really don't want to go. You can take pictures and-" Alice's face froze in thought. Her eyebrows were pulled together and her eyes widened slightly. She stood this way for several seconds before she looked over at me again. Her face softening.
"Oh Emma, you'll be going!" Alice suddenly smiled.
"Go where?" Edward said as he walked up next to us. My heart began to pound and my whole body froze. I slowly looked up to him forgetting all about Alice's strange moment. Edward smiled at me before coolly looking over to his sister.
"Emma doesn't want to come to the dance on Saturday. She wont even come just to see our decorations." Alice said, a smile still on her face. Edward looked over at me and I lost my breath.
"Well, I think you should come." I could see from the corner of my eye Alice's smile growing.
"I…well…dances aren't my thing." I stuttered. Edward and Alice both laughed. I could feel my cheeks revealing my embarrassment.
"You don't have to dance. You can just, stay with us." And that was it. I was sold.
"Okay." For the first time in the history of my existence, I was going to attend a dance. Because Edward wanted me there. I really am his puppet, aren't I? Edward laughed to himself then motioned to the cafeteria.
"Shall we?" He said to both Alice and I. Alice wrapped her slender arms around mine.
"I knew he'd get you to go." She whispered. I looked down at her. I know my face showed my shock, but I also knew it was obvious how I felt. I just prayed it wasn't so obvious to him. Alice winked at me as we walked through the cafeteria doors.
It was like a scene from a movie. Every head turned to us and everything seemed to be moving in slow motion. Goodbye invisible girl, hello center of attention. So this is what it felt like. If I would have known that having people notice me would also cause my stomach to ache, I never would have thought about wanting it. Even if I wanted it for just a minute. My whole body was on fire, my head was hurting and all I wanted to do was run out the emergency exit. With Alice's tight grip and Edward just inches from me, I knew I wouldn't be going anywhere.
The walk to the Cullen's known table seemed to have taken forever. By the time I sat down next to Alice, the entire lunchroom had us as topic of conversation.
"They're just not used to seeing us with anyone other then…well us." Alice reassured me.
"It's just weird. Everyone staring." I said looking around.
"Just ignore them. That's what we always do." Edward advised. And that is exactly what I did. I ignored the rest of the world to put my full attention on my new friends.
"Aren't you going to get lunch?" Edward asked.
"No, I don't eat cafeteria food." I said making a face.
"Neither do we." Edward stated.
"It gross." Alice added, making a gagging noise.
Alice opened her binder and started taking out drawings of rooms that looked like our gymnasium. They were filled with balloons, banners, streamers and from what I could see, the illusion of glitter. The room was filled with it.
"So this," she said pushing the pages in front of me. " is what you'll see on Saturday. It's the End of Winter Dance, so I'm doing a winter theme." It was obvious that Alice had a knack for this. But it was even more obvious that she absolutely loved it. The drawings were clear and vivid. It was like looking at the gymnasium in a photo.
"Alice, you drew these?" She nodded her head and bit her lip.
"Do you like them?"
"They're amazing." Alice squeaked at my words. "I love them."
"Good, then come to our house straight from school and I can show you the rest of my ideas." She smiled a full set of white teeth.
"Oh, I really should go home." It was all happening too fast. I really wasn't that hard to please. I was getting partly what I always wanted, but it was happening too fast. One minute we didn't know each other, and now I was getting rides from him, walking with him in the halls, going to lunch and now being invited to their house and without my parents.
"Emma, your always difficult, aren't you?" Alice grabbed her papers, placing them quickly back into her binder.
"Don't worry Emma, we don't bite." Edward said as he smirked at me from across the table. I felt the heat again in my cheeks as I laughed uncomfortably at his comment. My eyes pulled from Edward and fell back on Alice. I had never seen her face so sad before. My heart was breaking. Why wouldn't I want to go to their house? Why wouldn't I want to get closer to Alice, my friend and Edward, the only man I've ever loved.
"Ok Alice. Ok, I'll come over." Alice's face instantly brightened with happiness. Her pale skin glowed brighter as she smiled at me.
"Thank you Emma." Alice almost sang. She put her attention back to her binder, neatly putting her drawings away.
"You've made her happier then you know." Edward whispered. I looked over to face him. My breath caught in my throat as I froze in front of him. Edward smiled at me with that breath taking smile - then it fell. His head snapped to the entrance of the cafeteria. I pulled my eyes from him and looked over at what was currently occupying his thoughts. With the fresh news of Edward and my friendship, I should have known Lillian would show up to lunch. Lillian was a good friend, but she hated being the last to know something. This knowledge was huge and she knew that. She was the only person who ever knew of my true feelings for Edward. She was my motivator to talk to him and my drill sergeant when I chickened out.
I could feel her energy from across the room. She stood with her hands on her hips, her lips pursed and her brow creased. Because I knew her so well, I knew she was mad. Mad because I was sitting close with Edward and mad because I still hadn't told her what was going on. I smiled at her because I didn't know what else to do. She mouthed the words 'you better call me later' as her hand raised to her ear where she formed the phone gesture with her fingers. Before I could respond she turned on her heel and stormed out of the cafeteria, Carly following right behind.
Now as if my stomach wasn't nervous enough, Lillian had to add to it. There were times when her over dramatization of things became more then a hassle. But she was my friend. Lillian should have been the first person I ran to when Edward spoke to me for the first time. Instead, I was keeping her in the dark - so she thought. I would explain that there was nothing to explain later. For now, all I could think about was today's after school activity.