Chapter 6 - Aftermath

"You alright? You look…hm, nervous," Mike smiled. "I moved to Forks about six years ago, first day is always the worst."

I nodded in agreement, "Yeah, it is. You'd think I'd get used to it, I've been to so many different schools. It's meeting new people, that's the hardest." I clenched and unclenched my fists a few times, trying to untense as he walked me to Government. My heart was still racing, along with my mind. Paying attention to Mike was helping me relax from my near-death experience.

Mike sat next to me once we reached the class, "Well, you have me, and a few others. There are only a few hundred more to go."

"True," I laughed. "So what do you guys do for fun around here?"

Mike shrugged, "We're planning on hitting the beach in a week or two, when it warms up a bit."

I wondered how bad I would sound if I asked him if there were any good parties in Forks, one where people went to a supplier for beer and liquor and all the teenagers get trashed. I could use a beer after this. Then I thought of Charlie…I suppose I should avoid getting grounded for a while. I could probably sneak one or five from the fridge after he went to sleep…

"What about where you are from?" Mike asked.

Where I came from, I went to the bar because I could! Normally I just went to the liquor store and got a bottle of rum so I could work at home while I worked up to a nice buzz…oh and I watched you a few dozen times because I'm obsessed with the movie you are in. I shrugged, "I lived in the desert, all of it was a beach."

Mike laughed a bit too loudly, and the teacher quieted him down with a harsh glance as the class started.

My backpack was heavy as I walked to the school office. Mike was following me, still chatting. I had a thought to ask him to carry it, he would have, it looked like he even wanted to offer. I had never, in my entire life of high school and college combined, had so much homework. Restarting high school after being gone six years, plus starting half a dozen classes in the middle of a subject…ugh. It was a good thing, I thought, that the next few days Edward was gone. In the movie it only lasted minutes, but I knew it was going to last a few days for me. I would catch up, I would get acquainted with the high school, the work. I saw him, face-to-face, close enough to touch, it was close enough. But I couldn't forget one part of the script, one part I felt, from reading the books, was important, important enough to make Edward feel the need to leave, to run from Forks.

"Where are you going?" Mike asked as I turned, going in a different direction. "Parking lot is out here…"

"Oh, I…I have to go in here for a minute," I said. "I'll see you tomorrow. Thanks for your help, Mike."

He grinned, "See you tomorrow, Arizona."

I stepped into the office, and heard his voice for the first time. "There must be something open. Physics, Biochem…?"

"I'm sorry, every class is full," the secretary said. She glanced at me, "Just a minute, dear." She looked back to Edward, "I'm afraid you'll have to stay in Biology."

Edward turned his neck, his muscles tensing under his shirt, looking over his shoulder at me…the fierce gaze there again. I took a deep breath, forcing myself to stay quiet. The rebellious part of me wanted to tell him to have a nice vacation…but I rather liked my blood where it was. No need to antagonize the hungry vampire. "Fine…I'll just have to endure it."

I walked up to the secretary and handed her my piece of paper without a word.

"How was your first day, Bella?" she asked before I could turn around and walk out.

"It was…it was alright. Thanks for your help earlier."

I would need to memorize the buildings floor plans, I could have escorts to each class…but I didn't want them. I didn't want Mike or Eric following me around all the time.

Charlie took me out to the café for dinner. I tried not to look at Waylon…it was hard not to scream at him to run from Forks…he was a…he was going to be a victim. In a few weeks he was going to be vampire-food…dead. Maybe…I'm sure it wouldn't make much of a difference of who it was, Waylon or some other Joe…

What if Waylon isn't there, James and his coven continue to search, and they find…Mike or Tyler instead? Or Charlie…or me?

I was rather quiet through the meal, repeating the movie in my mind, finding holes in the script that I would have to wing, and what areas that if I screwed up could prove devastating…for me or for the other characters of the story.