Disclaimer: I own no part of Twilight… pity, isn't it?
Chapter 3: Keep Playing Along
"Oh how I hate physics…" I muttered, sitting at the kitchen table in the cottage, books played out every-which-way. I was waiting for mum and dad to get back from hunting. I'd really wanted to go to, but Carlisle had insisted that I kept up a steady human diet to make me seem more normal. Peanut butter really wasn't cutting it, so I'd taken to nibbling at my hangnails.
"Renesme, we're back!" mum called.
"In the kitchen," I called back. Mum and dad appeared around the entrance. I smiled and quickly finished the last homework problem. Just because I'm good at solving for air resistance and the like does not mean that I enjoy it.
"Hello, sweets!" mum kissed my cheek. "How was school today?"
"Great, mum. I've got all your same teachers…" I replied, packing my things. "It's a tad bit weird."
"As long as you're enjoying the classes, dear." Mum shrugged, before going to change clothes. Dad sat down on the couch and watched me.
"Do you want to talk, Nessa?" he asked. I nodded and sat next to him. "What happened this morning?"
"Straight to the point as usual…" I sighed, closing my eyes and relaxing into the couch. "It's Jacob, dad. Please explain to me again why he still hangs around?"
"Jacob has taken the rejection differently than expected."
"But doesn't the imprinter want what the imprint wants?!" I exclaimed. The whole fiasco annoyed and aggravated me to no end.
"Nessa, honey, I share your feelings, but this is an extremely touchy subject with your mother." Dad stared at his hands, his copper hair falling into his eyes. "She just wants Jacob to be happy…"
"Couldn't he be happy with, I dunno, Leah?" I mumbled. To me, those two were a heaven-made match; and I knew Leah loved Jacob – she was my only girl friend for a good 16 years. Dad gave me a look.
"If Jacob wanted to, he could be." He replied simply, shrugging slightly. "Just relax, Nessa. It'll all work out."
"If you say so…" I sighed, heading to my room.
"Oh, and Renesme," I paused; Dad had picked up a book. "Be careful on that bike, okay." I couldn't help but smile.
By Wednesday, I had realized just how boring free-periods were without Sydney. Sure I had Adam to talk to, but he was usually out with his friends, doing God knows what. I had taken to wandering around the campus; today was the arts building. The classes were all in session, except for chorus. I drifted up to the doorway, hearing a light piano melody. Relaxing, I strode into the room, finding the player with his back towards me.
"That's a nice tune you've got there." I said softly when he had finished. He visibly stiffened and turned around.
"Do you play?" my eyes went wide; it was him. The boy that nobody knew.
"A li-little bit…" I replied, surprised that I was tripping over my words. "I'm more of a strings kind of person… I'm Ren Cullen, by the way." I mentally kicked myself for letting my last name slip.
"Cullen, huh?" He mulled it over. "Our family's are in a bit of business together, right?" I squinted, watching the tips of my sneakers.
"I'm sorry, but I'm lost…" He smirked.
"Don't worry about it; Marc Ashbury." I shook his hand when he held it out. Marc had shocking blue eyes, almost unreal looking.
"I'm sorry, I'm new to the family." I remarked.
Clarification: I had heard of the Ashburys. They were one of the wealthiest families in the area; about neck in neck with us. Mr. and Mrs. Ashbury had 3 sons and 2 daughters, from what I understood; Eric, William, Daniel, Heather, and Juliana. Each was in line to gain some a share in the immense fortune. I hadn't ever heard of a fourth son.
"So, you like music, Ren?" Marc asked. I nodded and he twisted back around on the bench, motioning for me to sit next to him. "Turn around; we're going to play a game, alright?"
"I have to guess the song?" I smirked, thinking I had this, easy.
"No, you have to sing along." Marc laughed, shuffling some papers. "Ready?" I nodded, closing my eyes and concentrated on the melody.
"Can't read my – can't read my – no, he can't read my poker face. She's got no one, nobody."
"Correct; next one."
"The songbirds are singing, like they know the score. And I love you, I love you, I love you – like never before. Like never before…"
"Bingo. Third one."
"Wait – how many are you doing?"
"Only four; Can I start?"
"Go on … Goodbye, should be saying that to you, now why shouldn't I?" Laying down the law that I live by. I've gotta thick tongue, brimming with the words that go unsung; Simmered in a burn for someone, the wrong one."
"Great, now last one."
"Ooh, I love this song!" I said excitedly, jumping up and dancing around the room. "Hold me closer, Tiny Dancer! Count the headlights on the highway. Lay me down in sheets of linen! You've had a busy day today." Giving a final twirl, I dropped down onto the bench next to Marc, who was laughing just as I hard as I was.
"Alright, you win." He declared, his cheeks going red from lack of air. "What do you want?"
"For what?" I asked
"For your prize, silly." Marc laughed even harder when my mouth formed a small 'o'.
"20 questions." I bit my lip. "But not now…"
"Why not; it is a free period, Ren." Marc rolled his eyes. I copied him.
"No, I want to give you a list of questions and you can answer them and shove the paper back in my locker." I explained. "Does that make sense?" Marc just looked thoughtful.
"I'll agree to that, but on one condition." I nodded, still worrying my bottom lip. "That you'll play for me one day." Smiling softly, I agreed to the condition. Soon after, he grabbed his things and left. I followed only minutes after.
Government was the worst class ever.
It wasn't Jefferson, or the coursework, or even most of the students. It was just those two.
I had conveniently sat between the 2 biggest idiots on the planet on the first day, and was now stuck between them until the end of term. The first was Zach Worner, a stereotypical womanizer with dirty blonde hair and blue eyes. His little friend was Terry Finche, who was just another dorky pervert that followed the soccer team around. They seem to run rampant in highschools. And trust me when I say Zach was a dirty blonde. I swear to God, the boy sat and stared at my ass for so long on the first day, I'd begun to wonder if I was even wearing pants. The pair also loved coming up with and calling me new pet-names every day, along with painfully trying to cop a feel.
But that Wednesday, Zach had decided to try a new level of idiocy.
"Hey Ren, how you doin'?" he smiled haughtily. I rolled my eyes.
"Oh, I was doing far better roughly 5 seconds ago," I sighed, plopping down in my chair. "Pity that backwards time-travel isn't possible yet."
"Totally," Terry grinned. The boy had utterly no personality. As I dug my books out of my bag, I saw Zach throw something. I was second guessing placing my pity on time travel.
"So anyway, I've decided something, Ren," I heard Zach say, trying to sound like less of a douche.
"And what would that be?" I asked, clearly showing how little I cared.
"I'm gonna call you Speed," he declared, obviously very proud of himself. "Clever isn't it?" I just gawked at him, trying not to burst out laughing, until I regained my composure; that took a while, needless to say.
"Y'know Zach," I began, sarcasm laced in my voice. "Let me be the first to tell you it is every girl's dream to be nicknamed for an hallucinogenic drug. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate it as much as the next girl, but could we just stick to Ren?"
"Sure thing, hot stuff!" Terry piped up. Zach slammed his palm into his nose; unfortunately, no breakage occurred. I had to stifle a giggle at the clueless look on Terry's face.
"Gentlemen, would you please stop harassing the young lady?" Zach and Terry both jumped as Jefferson appeared at Zach's side.
In the pit of my stomach, I felt a small spark of hope for government class.
Author's Note:
Sorry the update took a million and one years… yea, I got really caught up in my other stories. Anyway, I've also taken time to rewrite most of this one because it originally turned out with a very sucky ending. By ignoring this for, what-3 months now(?), I've virtually done you all a favor! I hoped you enjoy and hopefully a new update coming soon! – Carie Lea
