School usually dragged, but the first week passed rather quickly. By Friday, everyone had gotten used to the Cullens. Edward still hadn't returned to the school, but Alice told me that he'd be back on Monday.
The first week of Senior Year was one of the best weeks of school that I'd ever had, and that was largely due to the Cullens. They were unique, yet so similar in some aspects, and I regarded myself as a friend of each one of them.
Emmett was possibly the funniest person I knew, he'd have me in stitches within seconds, but he also knew how to wind me up. On Wednesday, I'd tripped over my own feet in the parking lot, and Emmett had witnessed my fall. Now he referred to me as 'The Queen of Klutziness', and my face flamed with embarrassment whenever he called me by my nickname. Rosalie would hit him though, every time that he called me it.
Rosalie tended to ignore our classmates, with the exception of her family, and myself, so she was not liked by many of my friends, including Angela. But I liked her; she was smart, funny, and she always sided with me whenever Emmett teased me.
Jasper didn't talk much to anyone else either, and he was definitely the quiet one out of the four. But he and I had a lot in common; we both adored literature, and we'd had a discussion Thursday lunchtime about our favourite literary classics, which had completely bored his family.
But my favourite Cullen member so far was Alice. I adored her. She was bubbly and cheerful all of the time; my mood would improve just by being in her presence. On Friday, she'd referred to me as her best friend, even though we'd only known each other for five days. I didn't find that remark weird at all, though Angela and my other friends did, because it felt like I'd known her for years instead of a matter of days.
Because I liked the Cullen family a lot, I couldn't help but feel excited at the prospect of getting to know Edward. If he was anything like his siblings, I was certain we'd get along. At least, I hoped we would.
~I~
True to Alice's word, when I drove into school the following Monday, I saw the silver Volvo in the parking lot. Edward had returned to school.
Already, I could feel my heartbeat thudding in anticipation.
To my dismay, when I parked beside Edward's car, there were no occupants inside of it. They were already in class.
Glancing at my watch, I could see why they weren't waiting for me. I was three minutes late to English.
Cursing, I stumbled out of my truck and hurried towards the school, praying that I didn't fall over.
Fortunately, I was fine the whole way, except when I tripped over the doorstep of the English Classroom. In my haste, I'd forgotten it was there.
To my surprise, a pair of cold arms wrapped themselves around me, and righted me before I fell face first. I heard a giggle in my ear, and knew that Alice had saved me from a potentially embarrassing moment. How she'd supported my weight being so petite amazed me.
"Thanks Alice." I sighed as she released me, relieved.
"No problem-o! Happy to help!" She said cheerfully, grinning. "You didn't need to rush though, our English Teacher isn't even here yet."
Suddenly I heard a booming laugh, and I groaned internally. Of course Emmett had witnessed my near fall.
"You should have let her fall Alice, so that I could add another thing to her klutz list." Emmett remarked.
"Klutz list?" I demanded, scowling at him. "What the hell is that?" My question was unnecessary; I could already guess what it was.
"Just a list of things of clumsy things you've done in the past week." Emmett explained, laughing when I blushed. "For example, the trip in the parking lot, banging into Lauren and making her spill her drink all down her new outfit, splattering paint into Jessica's hair in—"
"—Okay, that's enough!" I huffed, storming past him to sit down at my desk. I wasn't really angry with him, I just wanted the chance to wind him up.
Emmett immediately bounded over to my desk to squat down to my level and give me a big grin, showing his dimples and making his topaz eyes glitter. My façade cracked instantly, and I couldn't stop the smile that spread across my face.
Satisfied that he was forgiven, Emmett stood up and sat down at his desk, where Rosalie was flicking through a fashion magazine. Alice had joined her, and the two began to discuss this season's fashion.
"You know, you girls would enjoy a good classic book more than that rubbish." Jasper remarked, gesturing towards the magazine and then winking at me, which made me laugh. He and I were definitely on the same wavelength.
Alice didn't find his comment very amusing. "Jazz, don't insult fashion. It's a girl's best friend." She responded, scowling at him.
"I thought it was diamonds." Rosalie murmured, not looking up from her magazine.
"That too." Alice added, before her eye caught something in the magazine, and she squealed. "Oh my God Bella, you would look stunning in this!"
"Look out Bella, she's found her next Barbie doll." Jasper said warily, and I gulped. I had never been into the whole 'make-over' thing.
"Bella-Barbie!" Emmett exclaimed gleefully, thrilled that he could now call me by a second nickname.
Ignoring them, Alice approached me to show me the magazine. "This blouse would match your complexion perfectly." She told me, pointing to a picture of sapphire coloured blouse.
My eyes widened at the price. "There is no way in hell I'd pay that much for a blouse." I said, horrified that people actually paid that much for one item of clothing. "I wouldn't even spend that much money on a whole outfit!"
Now it was Alice's turn to be horrified. "You don't spend that much on an entire outfit?" She gasped, and Jasper winced.
"Uh-oh." He murmured.
"We have to go shopping immediately!" Alice announced, slamming the magazine down on the desk to emphasise her point.
I gave Rosalie a helpless look, but she was nodding her head, agreeing with Alice. "Absolutely. And if you don't want to buy the blouse, we'll buy you it for you."
"There is no way you guys are spending that much money on me." I said firmly. I'd always hated it when other people bought me gifts, even if they were for my birthday.
"It's no big deal." Alice said, shrugging. "Besides, we want to treat you. You're the only one at this school who's been nothing but nice to us. You deserve it."
I was about to protest, but our English Teacher walked into the classroom, signalling that the lesson was about to begin, and I sighed in relief. "Saved by the bell." I murmured under my breath.
Emmett, Jasper and Rosalie all laughed at my remark, and Alice shot me an angry glare. "This isn't over." She warned me, wagging her finger as she sat down at her desk.
Clearly, I hadn't been as quiet as I'd thought, and I made a mental note to always retort back in my head next time so that Alice couldn't hear me. I didn't want to face her wrath, after all.
~I~
After my English lesson, I expected the rest of my lessons to drag, mostly because I didn't share them with the Cullens.
So I was surprised when I walked into French, my last lesson before lunch, to see Edward Cullen sitting at my desk. In my seat, to be exact.
Again, I was just as struck by him as I had been in the cafeteria the week before. His beauty was exquisite.
Taking a deep breath, I made my way over to him, and stopped beside the desk. "Excuse me." I began. "You're sitting in my seat."
That was the best greeting I could come up with? Way to go Bella!
Edward raised his head slowly, and met my gaze. "I apologise, I didn't realise this seat was filled." He rose swiftly, and moved away from the seat.
"Thanks." I said awkwardly, sitting down, and pulling my French folder out of my bag.
I expected Edward to move away, but he remained standing by the desk. "Is the seat next to you taken?" He asked me quietly, and I blinked.
He wanted to sit next to me?
Suddenly I was lost for words.
That didn't happen often.
"No." I finally answered, and then mentally scolded myself for the simplicity of my reply.
I expected him to sit down, but he still remained standing, looking unsure of himself. "So, do you mind if…" He gestured to the empty seat, and I realised what he meant.
"Of course not." I replied quickly, and he sat down.
The crooked smile he gave me next sent my heart crashing in my chest. He was breathtaking. "I have to say, it's nice to meet you at last Bella." He remarked, leaning back in his chair and gazing at me intently with his topaz eyes. "My family have been talking about you at home. They like you a lot."
I felt my face light up, thrilled by his comment. "I like your family too. And I've heard about you as well, Edward."
His crooked smile appeared again, and this time, I felt myself blush. "Only good things, I hope." He replied, amused.
I couldn't think of an intelligible reply to that. He'd completely overwhelmed me.
Fortunately I didn't have to; our French Teacher began the lesson, which didn't give me a chance to talk to Edward again.
~I~
When the bell eventually rang for lunch, Edward surprised me by waiting for me while I packed up my bag.
"Do you mind if I sit with you at lunch?" He asked me, looking uncertain again.
I smiled immediately, wanting to put him at ease. "Of course not."
We walked to the cafeteria in silence, which was expected, as neither of us knew each other very well. I wracked my brain, trying to think of a conversation starter, but came up blank. So I ended up sneaking glances at him. His expression was smooth, but something told me that he was also thinking of something to say, but couldn't.
However, he did wait for me while I bought my lunch, and when I murmured my thanks, he gave me another crooked smile.
As we walked towards our lunch table, Emmett looked up and saw us approaching. "I bet you ten dollars that Bella drops her tray!" He boomed to Jasper, who laughed.
"She won't." I heard Alice tell him. "And you wouldn't dare bet against me." When she winked, I felt like I was missing out on an inside joke, especially when I heard Edward chuckle beside me.
When we got to table, I slid into the empty seat next to Alice, and Edward took the chair beside mine, putting him next to an excited Jessica.
"Hi!" She exclaimed, offering him her hand. "I'm Jessica, it's nice to finally meet you Edward."
I had to cover my mouth to hide my smile when Edward stared down at her hand disdainfully, making no move to place his hand in hers. "Nice to meet you too." He mumbled, and then he shifted his chair closer to mine to distance himself from her.
That move didn't go unnoticed by Lauren, and I saw her eyes narrow slightly. I knew that she'd be the next one to talk to Edward, and I was right.
"I'm glad that you're finally well enough to come to school Edward." She began, fluttering her eyelashes in an attempt to look flirtatious. It didn't work. "I'm Lauren Mallory, and I hope we're going to be great friends."
If I didn't know any better, I could have sworn I saw Edward grimace.
"Right." He muttered, looking away from her.
I couldn't help but feel secretly pleased; he didn't like Lauren much either.
After everyone else's introductions were out of the way, Alice attacked me again.
"So Bella, we didn't get the chance to continue our conversation about this blouse—" She pulled out the magazine from earlier and flicked to the page that showed the item of clothing "—and whether or not you were interested in it."
Oh God. "And like I said Alice, I don't spend that much on clothes." I reminded her. "I thought that meant the conversation about this ridiculous blouse was over."
Alice placed her hand over her heart, looking pained. "You did not just call it ridiculous!"
"I didn't mean it like that." I said quickly, not wanting to hurt her feelings. "I just meant that this whole conversation is ridiculous. I don't wear things like that, and there's no way I'm paying $110 for something I'll never wear."
"You don't have to pay for it. I'm buying it for you for your birthday next week." She told me, smiling smugly at me.
My eyes narrowed instantly. "How did you know it was my birthday next week?" I asked suspiciously, when I saw Angela looking guiltily down at the table. "You didn't!" I gasped, feeling betrayed.
"I'm sorry!" Angela cried, holding up her hands in surrender. "Alice made me tell her when your birthday was!"
"She has a way of getting her own way with people." Edward commented, grinning at his sister.
"You know it." Alice replied, beaming. "So, seeing as it's your birthday next Monday, this blouse is going to be one of your birthday presents."
"One of my presents? Please Alice, don't make a big deal out of my birthday." I pleaded.
"Why not?" Rosalie asked me curiously. "You're only eighteen once Bella, you might as well enjoy it."
"I know, but I don't like the attention I get." I admitted, shuddering. "A birthday just means a change in age, that's all."
"That's all!" Alice repeated, looking outraged. "Bella, we're going to celebrate your birthday and give you presents, whether you like it or not!"
"Is there any point in arguing?" I sighed, sensing defeat already. One of the first things I'd learnt about Alice: she was stubborn, and dominant.
"None whatsoever." Alice stated with a smile, knowing that she'd won the argument.
"Why are you making such a big deal about Bella's birthday anyway?" Lauren demanded suddenly, and everyone turned to look at her. "It's not like you've been friends for very long. Why spend all of that money on a blouse for a stranger?"
Alice's topaz eyes darkened, and even her family looked surprised by the ferocity in her expression. "Bella is not a stranger. She's the sweetest, prettiest girl here and she's my best friend." She gave me a quick smile, and I blushed, flattered by her words, before she added, "No offence Angela."
"None taken." Angela replied, smiling. "It's all true."
I didn't fail to notice that Alice hadn't apologised to Jessica and Lauren for her remark about me. And neither did they. Jessica didn't say anything to Alice's outburst, but Lauren did. Of course.
"Bella isn't pretty; she's plain." She remarked, and then she laughed spitefully. "That blouse couldn't do anything to enhance her beauty, because she isn't beautiful, at all."
Emmett, Jasper, Rosalie and the rest of my friends looked furious at her comment. Even Tyler and Jessica looked shocked.
Alice was visibly shaking beside me, furious, and my mood mirrored hers.
I was about to say a quick retort, when Edward spoke up, surprising everyone at the table. "People only use nasty words about someone when they're jealous of them." He said, his eyes cold as he glared at Lauren. "You must be extremely jealous of Bella if you feel the need to be spiteful about her when she's sitting right in front of you."
Lauren's face flushed in shock, and I felt mine do the same. I couldn't believe Edward had defended me.
However, Edward's comment wasn't enough for Emmett.
"Yeah Lauren, if you think that Bella's prettier than you - which she is - then consider cosmetic surgery. They should be able to fix the bump on your nose."
Lauren's eyes widened, and her hands flew up to cover her nose. "I have a bump on my nose?" She hissed, panicked.
Emmett nodded his head slowly, pretending to look sympathetic. "Haven't you noticed it? It's like Mount Everest has sprouted there."
Lauren blush deepened, and she fled the table. Tyler, Jessica and Mike quickly left too, and I heard them shouting compliments at Lauren to calm her down as they exited the cafeteria.
When the cafeteria doors shut behind them, I turned my head to give Edward and Emmett a grateful smile. "Thanks for defending me, but I think you've made Lauren upset." I commented, feeling a slight twinge of guilt.
Edward's brow furrowed slightly. "You're worried about Lauren's feelings? After what she said about you?" He asked me, gazing at me in disbelief.
"Of course, no one deserves to get trashed like that. At least, not in front of everyone." I muttered, feeling embarrassed by his stare.
"I can't believe you feel sorry for her." Edward murmured. "Selfless."
I didn't know what to make of his comment; it could have been taken as a compliment, or an insult, so I didn't respond.
"You made a good joke Emmett, about the whole mountain thing." Angela remarked suddenly, breaking the silence.
"I wasn't joking…you really can't see it?"
Rosalie elbowed him, but she couldn't stop the grin from spreading across her face, and Angela shook her head in reply to Emmett's question.
"Just as well." Emmett mused, looking thoughtful. "They're cosmetic surgeons, not miracle workers."
That made the whole table erupt into laughter, and I couldn't stop myself from laughing along with them. One thing I knew for sure was that I definitely knew who my true friends were.