A/N: I'm going to be gone for a week on Senior Trip and I'm not allowed to take my laptop so I posted two chapters - and both are long than usual - other than that not much to say. Hope you enjoy! Oh, I got a comment about how one reader really liked Leo so he's in the next two chapters more. Like a lot more. Hope he's to your liking ;)
Disclaimer: Don't own anything here but the plot - and Leonard ^^
Come on…dang it! Please be here, please be here…Even just one. I'll even take Rosalie - I think.
"Bella you okay?" asked Mike from beside me.
"I'm fine," I replied with a weak smile.
All morning I've been going from class to class hoping to have another with a Cullen in them. In an odd way I was excited about getting to know them - that is if they let me. But every time I walked into a class room my hopes were stomped on and ground into the dirt. Trying to keep myself from getting to down I reminded myself that I at least shared A.P. Chemistry with one of the Mysterious Cullen males. That was just enough to keep me from dragging my feet.
I was heading to lunch when Mike caught up to me…or finally came out of his hiding place. I couldn't tell which honestly, though imagining him hiding in the shadows just waiting for me to pass by was both creepy and humorous. Mike was droning on about something about Jessica - I wasn't really paying attention to be completely honest. Entering the cafeteria my eyes immediately went to the table that the Cullens and I sat at yesterday, but what I saw was slightly disappointing. There were only four people at the table. Edward was missing.
Wistful sadness rushed through my body and left me reeling. Why the should I feel sad because some Hollister model was gone? Something must be wrong with me. …Though he is nice to look at.
I tuned back in to Mike once I realized he was still talking.
"Cool, well anyway like I was saying, Jessica's really sorry about whatever she did to upset you. She was going on about how she would like to be friends with you."
Friends with me or my very weird popularity at this school?
"Well I'm not mad at her, and it's fine with me if she wants to be friends."
I just probably won't have anything more than shallow conversations with her.
"That's great. She'll be really happy to hear that."
Mike led the way to the food line and handed me a tray.
"Thanks," I said as I took it.
"Anytime," he said with a smile that was probably meant to be swoon inspiring - I thought it was cute but nothing else really.
Mike waited for me once he paid and started walking towards the table where all of his friends were sitting. All of them were looking at me but I noticed that the corn yellow blonde - I'm pretty sure yesterday Mike said her name was Lauren - was glaring daggers at me.
How many people can I make hate me in just two days? I though sadly.
I veered towards the table that I sat at yesterday while Mike continued walking towards his friends. He didn't notice that I was gone till I was already sitting down in the same seat as yesterday.
"Bella!" Mike yelled across the lunch room.
I turned towards him and shot him an apologetic smile but stayed where I was at. I cracked open my milk as I tried to, stealthily, steal a glance of the Mysterious Cullens through my bangs. Only Alice was looking at me.
Nut up Swan, inner-Bella yelled. Besides the obvious fact that I was female she was right…as usual…jerk.
I shoved my hair behind my ear and chanced a smile. Alice seemed really nice - and let's face it energetic. Besides the worse she could do was turn away.
Turns out I didn't have to worry. Almost the second after I smiled she returned it with a huge grin of her own. I didn't know teeth could be that white or shine that much. It was amazing. I felt my, and I hate to admit this, shy smile - need to work on the whole confidence concept - grow into a grin.
Alice turned and said something to Rosalie, who was sitting right next to her, and got up. Rosalie watched Alice with shock then faced me with the usual glare.
If looks could kill never seemed so literal.
I was confused at first but when Alice walked towards my end of the table and pulled out the seat across form me it all snapped into place. Alice wanted to say hi. Rosalie was pissed because she hated my guts. Yup, makes perfect sense.
"Hi! My name is Alice Cullen, you're Isabella Swan," she didn't say it a question so much as a statement.
"Yeah, but I prefer Bella. It's less old century."
"So how are you liking Forks so far? Has to be a big change from Phoenix. You are from Phoenix right? I mean that's the story that's going around."
Wow.
I think she said all of that with one breath. Alice was still smiling, and looking at me expectantly, but I was momentarily stunned. Her voice was so…so…so musical. It sounded like a song or bells or both.
"Um, yeah, I'm from Phoenix," I finally said a little shakily. "I used to live there with my mom. Yes - Forks is a big change from Phoenix. It hardly ever rained there, but I'm getting used to this place. I mean it isn't so bad."
"Yeah, I like it too. Even if there is no where good to shop. Do you like shopping?" Alice asked way excited.
"Not really. I mean I go shopping for clothes and stuff with my brother - he makes it so much fun. But other than that I'm not really into it. It used to make Renee so mad when she had to drag me into stores when I was little." I laughed remembering all the stories Renee had told me of here trying to get me to like shopping, or at least not hate it.
"Really? You go shopping with your brother? Please tell me he's only there to carry the bags," she pleaded, looking like I just killed her puppy.
"Nope," I said, popping the p. "Leo's usually the one that picks out most of the stuff that I buy. He was really good taste."
"But what about girl critique? A guy cannot give the same criticism a girl can."
"I don't have many girl friends. Besides think about. Who better to tell you what I guy thinks looks good on than a guy."
"That is true I guess. Hmm, never thought of it that way. Maybe I should jazz shopping with me this weekend…"
"Jazz?"
"Oh! Jasper Hale, he's my boyfriend - the blonde one right there. That's his cousin Rosalie, and her boyfriend Emmett. I have another brother, Edward, but he's not here."
"The guy with the bronze hair," I asked, trying to sound nonchalant. I don't know if I succeeded or not, but her smile seemed knowing almost.
"Yeah, that's him."
"Oh, cool."
Alice started laughing, and I think it was at my poor attempt to seem like I didn't care. Now that sounded like bells, or chimes. Either way it was beautiful.
"Hey, I have an idea! Are you doing anything today after school? We could go to the mall in Port Angeles and I could show what girl critique is. Maybe you'll even like it more than shopping with your brother," she asked. Alice was so excited she should have been glowing at this point. It was so cute! I just wanted to hug her - even if I did hate shopping.
"Sorry, I can't. I'm actually busy after school," I said, and for once I was slightly grateful that I had that dreaded doctor's appointment.
"What are you doing?" she didn't sound intrusive but rather just curious.
"Um…nothing important really. Just some stupid stuff with my dad. Totally boring." There was no way in heck I was letting anyone else know that I had cancer. My family knowing was enough.
"Huh. Well that's too bad. Maybe some other time!"
"Um, sure, I guess."
"Yeah!" Alice said as she clapped her tiny hands and bounced in her seat.
I started laughing at the scene before me and she quickly added her chimes to the chorus.
"Well, I have to get back, or Rosalie will just get angrier. It was nice meeting you Bella! I can tell we're going to be great friends!"
I watched her as she got up and went back to sit with her family - she looked like she was dancing when she walked.
Mysterious indeed.
"Oh my god. That was Alice Cullen," My head shot around so fast I thought it was going to break. There in front of me was none other than Jessica. Lovely. "What were you two talking about? She is so weird - didn't I tell you. I can't believe she actually talked to someone outside of her family though. None of the Cullens do that."
"We didn't really talk about much," I replied as I took a bite of my macaroni and cheese. It was delicious and gooey - though I was quickly discovering that you had to keep stirring it or the cheese would solidify.
"Come on Bella. You have to give me more than that."
"Seriously Jessica, we just introduced ourselves and talked about my dislike of shopping. That's it."
Jessica looked disappointed that we didn't talk about something more gossip worthy. I was about to take another bite of my lunch when I suddenly remembered my promise to Charlie that morning. Stupid delicious food. I set my fork down and slide my tray a few inches away from me.
"What are you doing?"
"I'm not very hungry."
Jessica looked speculative, like there was more to the situation besides me having lost my appetite.
"Whatever, anyway I know Mike told you that I was sorry, but I just wanted to tell you myself. So I'm sorry about anything I said yesterday." She didn't look like she believed that herself.
"It's fine Jessica, nothing to apologize about. Well it as nice talking but I have to go. See ya tomorrow." I tried not to run out of the lunch room but I once I was in the hallway I sprinted towards my truck. The whole place suddenly felt too stuffy, to crowded. I just needed to go home.
I must have zoned out on the way home because before I knew it I was parking my Chevy. There was a black SUV in the driveway so I had to park on the curb but I didn't mind one bit. In fact I was happy to see that monstrous beast taking up the driveway.
That was Leo's car. He wasn't too fond of it but his parent's gave it to him as a "Good job for getting into college" present.
I gathered my backpack and ran into the house, just dropping it by the door while I pried off my shoes.
"Leo?" I called.
"Bella? What are you doing home this early?" Leo asked as he came out of the kitchen.
I sighed in relief.
"You okay hun?"
In response I just launched myself at him - clinging to him like a koala bear. That's right. I had a brother complex. Make fun if you want - I'm not ashamed. Leonard had a way of making me feel calm and safe just by being near me. …That's kind of why everyone thought we were secretly dating - many girls have broken up with Leo because of our unexplainable connection. I felt bad for that but Leo always said "That's fine. It just means they're not the one for me." Anyways, me and Leo weren't like that - never were and never will be. He's like a brother to me, and I'm like a sister to him. Simple as that.
"Yeah, I figured you'd come home early," Leo said as he held me close to him.
"No you didn't, you just ran out of money and didn't want to pay for food."
I felt him shake under me as he silently laughed. Walking over to the couch he sat us down and turned on some pointless sitcom.
"That's not true, Lizzy. My Bella signal was activated."
"You're not bat man," I said as I laughed.
"Still. So let me guess…you have a doctor's appointment, you got scared, but since you're too macho to admit this you ran."
"I'm not scared!" I exclaimed.
"As the age old adage says, 'Denial isn't just a river in Egypt,'" he said in a overly dramatized philosopher voice.
"That was terrible."
"That was gold, love. Now let's see - how would Barney say this… It's okay to scared, little dude."
"Okay, now that sucked - and Barney doesn't say dude. …You're lucky I love you."
"I'm already well aware of that fact," Leo said and kissed my cheek.
"Fine…I'm…I'm scared," I whispered so softly I barely heard it myself.
"What was that? I couldn't hear you..."
"I said I'm scared, you jerk," I growled.
"Don't you feel better now?" he asked with a knowing smile.
"No I do not! I feel stupid and weak. But seriously who wouldn't be scared. For the love of all that is holy I have cancer! That shit would scare anyone."
"I know. Honestly I don't know how you keep going on acting like everything is okay."
"I'm not acting, hunny bun."
"Really now? Has my little pessimist become an optimist? That's actually kind of scary."
"Will you shut up," I laughed.
"Well since you asked nicely. So you hungry? I can make you something to eat. Maybe a sandwich?"
"No thanks. Charlie doesn't want me eating. He says he doesn't know what to expect but he wants to be prepared nonetheless."
"That makes sense. Smart man."
"I don't think so at the moment," I said as I clutched my stomach, trying to muffle the loud growl coming form it.
"I swear you eat like a man… Want to spend the night at my place? We can go to see Alice in Wonderland after you're done with the doctor's, then we could go to the diner tomorrow for breakfast."
"Your place? Don't you live in a dorm? Way to think knuckle head," I said tapping his head with the finger. "Though that does sound fun - and how the heck to you know I wanted to see Alice?"
"Ah, yes. Miss I-live-in-Phoenix-so-I-don't-care-about-my-brother-anymore. I got an apartment last year, the guys in the dorms were really starting to bug me…pricks. And I know you, so me knowing you want to see Alice in Wonderland is kind of a no-brainer."
"Really? That's so cool! Did you decorate it? I wonder of Charlie will say yes?…"
"Nah, I'm not allowed to - already asked the manager - and Charlie already said it was okay as long as you're not late like you were yesterday."
"Crap, I was hoping he wouldn't hear about that… Thanks for asking."
"Anytime Lizzy. Now let's see if Gilligan finally gets off that dumb island."
A/N: I was so happy that I got over ten reviews and a million plus one favorite story/author alerts. Thanks for the motivation guys! I was able to write much much more ^_^
Think we can get ten reviews again? Just my favorite - and probably well known by this point - arrow. It makes people happy
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