CHAPTER SEVEN
I sat in the truck with a strange sense of excitement. Could it be that I was sitting so close to Caleb and our fingers were intertwined with each other or maybe it was that I was going to see Edward Cullen? Whatever it was, I was pretty damn excited. The boys and I had dressed similarly today, black sweaters, dark blue jeans, black shoes and black jackets. Of course I was looking different, my black sweater had a zipper to the front, I was wearing dark blue skinny jeans tucked into a pair of calf height black heeled boot and my beautiful silver Celtic cross that hung proudly around my neck, my most prized possession from my darling brother, Joe. My hair was pulled back in a sleek, neat ponytail. I did have to admit, I really did look good.
As we walked to our classrooms I started thinking that we were a bit old to still be High School. I swore Caleb could read my mind. "Oh yeah, I forgot to tell you. We had to lie about our ages to be here. Staying in Forks alone would be boring so we just decided to do the High School thing again. We're all 17, including you." He grinned as I looked at him and smiled. We had all stopped now, going to our different lockers, getting books for our class. I looked at my schedule; Physical Education was to the top of my list. Awesome! I loved Physical Education and not in a sarcastic way either. I informed the boys of my classes for the morning period as they did for me and agreed to meet for lunch in the cafeteria. I wished them all a great day until I saw them again as I turned away to head to gym class. I felt a strong hand wrap around my wrist, pulling me back quickly. Almost falling, these strong arms pulled me into a deep embrace and ambushed my lips in a passionate, wanting kiss. I almost let out a groan before being separated from my seducer. I steadied my eyes to look at the face before me. It was Pouge with a huge grin on his face. "Pouge! If I wasn't so late for class I'd pummel you to death and strangle you with your intestines" I seethed. He was already running down the hall, half looking over his shoulder and laughing boisterously. I grinned at the thought of the torture I had waiting for him when he got home as I ran towards the gym.
I had changed now into the official P.E. uniform, bright yellow running shorts with a white "Forks High School" t-shirt and sneakers. I sat in the stands, half listening to our teacher talking about what we'd be doing today. I looked at all the girls in boredom. Idiot, stuck up bitch, know-it-all, liar, everyone's true nature started slapping in me the face. Now I was wishing I could slap it back. There were a couple girls there that were actually genuine. Maybe I'd go talk to them, I thought until this overwhelming scent came crashing down on me thanks to my vampire/wolf nose. Every scent was probably multiplied 50 fold to me since I had both senses. My eyes then fell on yet another beautiful creature. A faint smirk appeared on my face as I looked at this tall, muscled curly haired creature. I looked at his carefully seeing the chalk white skin but his eyes were different from the ones I have seen; his eyes weren't as crimson and looked more topaz in colour. I grinned to myself, no matter how you hide it, he was still a vampire. I stayed perfectly still as I listened for his name. "Okay, we're going to break up into two teams. I need team captains." said the coach whilst reading a list of names from his clipboard. "Let's see here… Jason… Whitter is captain of the blue team and Emmett….. Cullen. You'll be captain of the yellow team".
Ahhh, another Cullen. I wondered if he was related to Edward Cullen. I suddenly felt someone hit my knee as I snapped out of my own little world I had ventured in. This red-haired girl was looking at me with inquisitive eyes. "Huh?" I mumbled. "We're joining up with the boys' group. They're having a little competition." She said blankly.
"Cool" I said while jumping up and running down to the group of people in a circle, the red head next to me. "By the way, I'm Andrea. Call me Andy if you like." I whispered to her as the two captains were picking people for their team. "I'm Sarah. Nice to meet you," she whispered back. I turned to her and she flashed me a small smile. I was standing in a position where I could spy on Emmett Cullen. Eventually he'd see me but for now, I didn't want him to. I looked at him very closely. He looked around strangely, hearing him sniff very softly. Guess he found my very muddled scent. No hiding now. The majority of people were already picked and there were just a couple of people that were left. My eyes were now locked with Emmett Cullen's pretty topaz eyes. He stared at me intently as I tried to focus on my barely existing human nature. I needed to smell more human. Good thing I was surrounded by them a while ago. Before he could open his mouth, I said maybe a little too loud, "I want be on Whitter's team." as I walked over to the group of people that were standing to the side of him. I felt Emmett's eyes follow me as faint smirk appeared on my face. Emmett was very handsome and had this baby face that just looked adorable. He looked like the biggest, most fun person ever, like a big kid but what I wanted to know is what power hid inside that big kid. Everyone was done choosing and they were setting up the gym for an obstacle course. I sat on the floor and waited. If Emmett was competing in this, I was going to as well. As the blue teams were choosing their group for the race, I walked up to Jason Whitter and told him to wait until we see who the blue team was sending in and send in someone that could match them in strength, agility or stamina. Agreeing to my plan we waited. It was a group of five, three boys and two girls. Emmett was one of them.
I asked Whitter if I could join the group as he quickly called out three other individuals. He was basically thinking out loud when he asked who would match up against Emmett Cullen. I looked at him and grinned as I replied to his answer, "That would be me." He looked unsure but told me if that's what I wanted then go ahead. I was so excited that I barely heard him when he mumbled something about not caring if we lost. Whatever! I just wanted to see what that big boy had going on. I walked over next to him and stood in position. I felt his eyes on me as I turned to him. I raised my right eyebrow as I tend to do a lot and felt this excitement bubble in me. He was serious at first as he stared at me and then his mouth broke out into this huge smile. "You're going down Cullen." I said, now staring straight ahead. "Really?" he said casually. "We'll see about that little girl." He laughed. Good, he was underestimating me. I closed my eyes to clear my head and opened it just in time to hear the whistle blow. I dashed forward, feeling a slight breeze next to me. Emmett Cullen was right next to me. We ran down the gym, jumped over five hurdles that were laid out randomly. He was fast but I figured we both were trying our best to go "human pace", though it was annoying me. We had to crawl under a net that was placed quite low to the floor. This was so easy for me but because of Emmett's size, it would have been difficult because of the small space that we were allotted. I was almost out when I felt someone grab my ankle. I turned around and saw it was Emmett as he flashed his huge grin. He was a big kid. I kicked his hand as I proceeded to run and up and down the steps, collecting the flags that were taped down. In no time I saw Emmett behind. "You're pretty fast..." he yelled "… for a girl." I could have punched him in his face. We were both side by side now, running towards the ropes that hung from the ceiling. We had to climb all the way up and back down and go towards the finish line. I quickly pounced on the rope, quickly climbing up the rope. I remembered the "human pace" I had to show and quickly wrapped the rope around my left leg. I raised my head to look at the flag as I touched it, ready to go back down when my eyes caught Emmett's face right in front of me with a playful grin on his face. I slid down quickly as did he. I jumped off about 2 feet before the rope ended. I quickly ran to the finish line, finishing first, Emmett Cullen a cool second as he walked towards the line. I didn't stick around to talk to him or anything as I heard our group shout in victory. I heard the screams, "Oh my gosh, SHE beat Emmett Cullen!" as I walked away to the change room.
I quickly showered and changed, looking just as beautiful as I did from this morning. I attended my other two classes but really bothering much. I couldn't wait to see my Caleb or probably I might catch a glimpse of Edward or Emmett. I shook my head and grinned as the bell rang for lunch. I walked calmly towards the cafeteria, searching for my boys. They were already there, lunch trays in front each of them neatly. They were in the furthest end of the cafeteria. I walked over to them, pulled out a chair as I sat between Pouge and Caleb. "What's up boys?" I grinned, picking up an apple from Pouge's tray and taking a bite.
"Hey" he yelled, "I was going to eat that."
"Too late buddy." I grinned. "So what are we looking at?" I asked innocently.
Their eyes weren't moving, their bodies were tense. I quickly followed their gaze to a group that was on the other side of the room. Chalk white bodies with a hint of crimson in their topaz eyes. Silly vampires I said to myself as I looked at them. I stared at the boys faces, stupid witches, I grinned as I took a bite of my apple.
I felt the intensity of their gazes as I stared at them along with the group. Of the three boys, I recognized Emmett, big and muscled like a serious weight lifter, with dark, curly hair. Another was taller, leaner, but still muscular, and honey blond. The last, Edward, who was lanky, less bulky than Emmett, with untidy, reddish-brownish colored hair. The girls were opposites. The tall one was statuesque. She had a beautiful figure, the kind you saw on the cover of the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue, the kind that made every girl around her take a hit on her self-esteem just by being in the same room. Her hair was golden, gently waving to the middle of her back. The short girl was pixie-like, thin in the extreme, with small features. Her hair was a deep black, cropped short and pointing in every direction.
The room was heavy with tension. In my head I saw us like a Japanese anime cartoon, dark auras emanating from both sides of the room and filling it slowly with a dark mist. I broke a slight smile, looking at the now puzzled faces across the room. I saw Edward's lips barely moved and I listened in as quickly. "Okay, she just compared us to a Japanese anime with dark auras filling the room." He said in a whisper. I saw that playful grin appear on Emmett's face. How did he know what I was thinking, I said to myself. "She doesn't know I can read her mind and the others are just concentrating on their plans. It's nothing to worry about it yet since there are flaws to their plans." Edward was telling them now.
Frickin' vampire power! I yelled in my head. Edward looked up at me quickly as his hand moved to the bridge of his nose, pressing against it like he had a huge pain. Heh, that's what you get for reading my mind, I said in the most childish tone. His face had now become stone cold and stared me down like a lion would stare at a foolish, lost gazelle. I was in no way his prey so I glared at him with the same primal fury. "Don't think about anything. Edward's a mind reader. Think about anything else other than whatever is it you guys are planning." I said softly, just above a whisper where the four of them could hear. I wonder what they're up to, I said to myself. I didn't even know what they were doing here. No wait, stop thinking. Dammit, stop thinking. Grrrrr, you think too much. Stupid Edward and his super ultra cool vampire gift, I argued with myself in my head still staring at him. A slight smile curved in the corner of his lips. Apparently I was entertaining him. I listened again as I saw their lips move.
"Alice, is this who you saw in your vision a couple days ago?" Edward asked the little pixie girl.
"I'm not sure Edward. The figure was blurred but I do remember those four guys and there were a group of about ten vampires in black robes. They seemed to be old and to have been around for a while and quite strong." She replied in a very musical voice. Huh, so she has name. Alice, I thought to myself.
The tension in the room was getting too much for either group now. My body was now going into survival mode, as vampire and as werewolf. I felt this secret rage crawling up my back to the base of my neck and was now making its way to my brain. No, I couldn't get mad here, I said as I tried to calm down. I suddenly felt a sense of ease and comfort. The mood was dissipating now. I feeling that was now going through my body felt like running through a field of wild flowers with oversized bunnies holding hands with both groups, smiling and singing like the lost clan of the Von Trapp family in 'The Sound of Music'. I knew I was being manipulated because deep down I still had that feeling of rage but I gave in to the calmness and the happiness that was filling the cafeteria.
"Thank you Jasper. This would have ended badly and there were going to be a lot of human casualties." Alice whispered as she gently placed a kiss on the tall blonde boy. Interesting, I thought.
"Edward could read minds; Alice I'm guessing sees the future and Japer can manipulate emotions." I said as the thoughts filled my head.
"Who is what now?" asked Tyler looking at me confused.
"Well you know Edward there, he reads minds. Alice is the little pixie girl and she can see the future. That guy next to her, the one looking like he's in pain, is Japer and he can manipulate emotions." I said calmly. "Oh and Emmett, who I met earlier today is just a vampire jock." I said as a smile appeared on my face.
"That would explain how we're all calm now." whispered Chase.
"Pretty much." I said.
"What's blonde's power?" asked Pouge.
I was stumped. Alice, Jasper, Edward and Emmett showed their powers but not that Blondie so I did my best and tried to figure her out.
"I'm guessing her power is to annoy everyone and be self absorbed and probably thinks the world should revolve around her" I said coolly.
I saw a big grin stretch across Edward's face.
"What did she say?" asked Emmett.
"They were asking about our powers and she pretty had everyone correct, including Rosalie." said a grinning Edward.
Alice turned to the group. "They're really nice people and soon they'll be helping us so let's try to be civil, alright?" she said in a hushed tone. "By the Edward, what did she really say about us?"
"She said you saw the future, Jasper looked like he was in pain and manipulated emotions, I read minds, Emmett was a vampire jock and Rosalie's was being self absorbed and annoying." He laughed out the last part.
Blondie AKA Rosalie's face contorted in fury as she jumped up from her chair, growling at me. Jasper quickly sent a feeling of calmness and happiness towards her as Emmett wrapped his arms around her waist and was pulling her down to her chair.
"I'm going to kill that little bitch." Rosalie hissed as Emmett held her close.
Smiles appeared at the Cullen table from everyone except Rosalie.
By now the cafeteria was empty, just ten bodies in the room, five on one side and five on the other.
This is so dumb, I thought to myself. We know what you are, who you are and what your powers are as well. Could we get over this little feud quickly and just be civil to each other? I knew Edward was listening to my thoughts as I heard him repeat the lines I just said in my head. I turned to the boys and looked at faces. "I'm making a truce with the Cullen's. It's getting annoying and it's only one day so far. I'm ending it, okay? You guys cool with that?" I asked.
"Yeah sure" Chase replied.
"Fine! I really wanted a fight with that big one but whatever." Snapped Pouge
"Could I still sneak in the girls' room and check out the girls?" asked Tyler.
"No you nitwit. They'd try to kill you and then it wouldn't be a truce again" I replied coldly.
"Grrrrrrr, okay. I'll just settle for looking at you." Tyler grinned as he looked at me.
I glared at him breaking out into a chuckle. I definitely couldn't stay mad for long at Tyler.
I looked at Caleb. He had been unusually quiet since the beginning of this.
"It's the right thing to do." He said, looking at me and taking my hand in his.
I sighed at his touch and smiled. His touch was making my heart beat even faster.
Ok vampire boy, I mean Edward, I said in my head. The five of us have agreed to a truce. What about your side?
I was listening to him as he was asking each of them about a truce. Alice had agreed as did Jasper. Emmett looked excited. He was telling them about our meeting and was talking about a wrestling match with me. He really was a vampire jock. All eyes were on Rosalie. "No." she said vehemently.
"Babe, please? I'll get a new playmate and Alice can torture her with shopping. Plus, Alice said that we were going to be working together so might as well get this over with." Emmett pleaded with Rosalie.
"Fine!" she said through clenched teeth. "But if the opportunity arises, I'm going to rip off that face of hers."
Bring it on Blondie. I'll beat you down to your original hair colour, I yelled in my head. I heard the most beautiful laughter ever. It was coming from Edward.
"What did she say now?" asked Alice excitedly.
"She heard what Rosalie said and was very open to the challenge and also implied that Rosalie dyed her hair blonde." Edward said, his laughter erupting again.
Everyone at the Cullen table was now laughing but Rosalie. She was swearing and growling at me now. I looked at her and flashed a big, wide grin. I saw Emmett's hold on her tighten. Yeah, she was mad alright, I said enjoying that moment.
When they had all calmed down Edward spoke, I listened.
"Now that you know all of us, we would like to know all of you. If you could, would you picture each person's face in your head and say their name; that way I would be able to tell the others whose who."
Sure, I can do that.
I pictured Chase's adorable face in my head. This is Chase Collins.
He told them who Chase was and then nodded his head to move on.
Tyler's mischievous face was in my head. Meet Tyler Simms.
He repeated the same action as I moved on.
Pouge's dashing and rugged looks popped into my head. This asshole is Pouge Parry.
I heard him chuckle as he repeated my thoughts. I smiled with a slight blush.
I saved the best of last, I said. Caleb Danvers. The image of Caleb's handsome face made my blush deepen.
Oh yeah, I'm Andrea Donovan. Call me Andy, those jerks do anyone and so does everyone else, I said.
"It's a pleasure to meet you all. I'm sorry we had to meet like this." said Edward.
It's nice to meet you guys too. That's alright though, would have happened sooner or later.
"You're right."
Anyway, we've been here way too long. Maybe we should just leave, I said to him.
"We should be going as well." replied Edward.
You guys going back to class or heading home? I was curious as to what vampires did at school.
"We're heading home. We need to inform Carlisle, our father, about your group."
Cool. Maybe we can meet tomorrow, under calmer circumstances?
"I'll let you know. We need to speak to Carlisle first before giving you an answer."
No problem, I said as everyone was now getting out of their chairs. Alice waved to me as I waved back. Emmett grinned at me as he flicked his head upwards in a nod. I shadowed him and smiled right back at him.
We had both already informed our sides what Edward and I had been talking about. We were now throwing away our uneaten food and my apple core. The boys were walking in front of me, filing out of the room just as the Cullen clan had been doing except through another exit. I stopped and called to him.
Edward.
I turned barely, looking through the corner of my eye. He had stopped.
"Yes?" he said. He sounded so calm and peaceful.
That's a great sounding song. You have a beautiful humming voice.
"What?"I heard him say with panic in his voice. He had spun around now looking at me in shock.
I started laughing loudly as I was walking away. Good bye Edward. See you tomorrow. I thought with a huge smile plastered across my face as I ran up to Caleb, slipping my hand behind his as his fingers curled over mine now, holding tightly.
