Chapter 3 – Alone
I didn't see Alice again for the rest of that day, or that week, or the week after…
I tried telling myself that there were a number of reasons why she wasn't attending class. Perhaps she was ill? I didn't much like that thought, but it could explain why she wasn't in school. Or maybe she had a family bereavement? But that didn't explain why the rest of her family were still present, and I found myself coming across them quite frequently.
A few things struck me about the Cullen's. Whenever I thought about them, they would appear.
Rosalie always seemed to be the one I passed in the corridor on my way to class. Always the one to display an icy stare in my direction each time she walked by. She clearly didn't like me much, though I was still trying to work out why.
Emmett and Jasper always seemed to be nearby when I was in the canteen. The former seemed to have a cheeky smile on his face, like he was laughing at some unknown joke. The latter never seemed to break his face free from a grimace. It was all so very puzzling.
My final class of the day was over, and I walked towards my truck taking hold of the handle before a hand appeared to cover my own, I span round and looked up at a pair of amber eyes, "Edward Cullen" – the words had escaped my lips before I could stop them.
Edward removed his hand and took a small step back, a small frown appearing on his delicate face. Had I got his name wrong?
"Yes, and you are Bella Swan" his response was a statement, not a question, and I found myself nodding.
"I was hoping you could help my sister, Alice…"
At the mention of her name, I felt my cheeks blush slightly.
"How" I replied, my throat almost dry.
"She has missed a few biology classes" he responded, and then stopped, waiting for me to say something, I merely nodded.
"She isn't feeling very well… I don't think she'll make any classes this week…"
I interrupted him almost immediately, "is she okay?" I found myself asking.
"Alice gets… migraines… she will be fine, but if you could take some notes for her, I am sure she would appreciate it".
Edward finished and smiled.
I watched as his features changed; he really was beautiful, and it didn't surprise me that most of the female population of Forks high school had a thing for him, what did surprise me was the fact that I seemingly didn't… it was another smile entirely that I couldn't seem to shift from my mind….
"You're very hard to read".
My thoughts vanished as I looked back up at Edward.
"I am?" I asked, and then realised he had asked me a question, "Sorry, yes, of course I will take notes for her".
Edward nodded and smiled again, "thank you Bella" and with that, he walked away towards his car.
A few days later I waited outside my truck for Edward to arrive.
He'd walked with me to lunch earlier that day, no doubt fuelling rumours to the max.
Jessica had been nearby, straining to hear what we were talking about. Had she heard, she would have been disappointed. Edward had asked if he could take my notes for Alice; I had replied that they were in my locker and that I would hand them to him when school finished, waiting at the car park. He had thanked me, and before moving away I had asked how Alice was.
He had lent in closer to me, and replied that his sister was feeling better, that it would simply take a little time for her to adapt… I wasn't really sure what he had meant, but had nodded anyway.
Surely there were tablets that people could take to stop migraines? Their father was a Doctor! Surely he could prescribe something?
I waited for a few moments, before becoming aware of someone standing next to me.
"Bella"
It was Jasper.
"Hello" I replied, before rummaging in my bag for the notes I had photocopied for Alice.
I handed them to him, "I assume this is what you want"? I asked.
Jasper seemed to take a small gulp, worry etched across his face "Yes, thank you".
He started to turn, but my curiosity got the better of me "are you okay?" I asked.
Jasper stood still and then turned, "Yes, Edward sends his apology, he got held up in class…"
I watched as Jasper tried to smile, "I have to go now" he finished, but then stopped suddenly.
"Why do you ask if I am okay?"
He seemed genuinely puzzled by my question,
"You just look…. A little pained? Like you've stood on an upturned plug…" I answered truthfully, before mentally scolding myself for being so… blunt.
Jasper cocked his head slightly, "and that would be a painful experience?" he questioned, looking at me intently.
"Well… it was for me" I answered, and then shrugged.
Jasper nodded, "you seem… a little tense Bella" he replied.
I went to open the door of my truck and looked back at him.
"I'm fine, it's just taking a while for me to settle in, that's all" I answered honestly.
Jaspers face turned into a genuine smile, an almost identical smile to the one Edward had displayed days earlier
"You'll be just fine" he replied as he walked towards his car.
I opened my truck and sat behind the wheel; for the first time that day, I felt the tension evaporate and I actually did feel fine.
