Chapter 6
Lunch with a tint of Cullen's, this could only get better, right?
Today had to get better. Bobby and Sue were away to England for two weeks to visit Sue's great auntie Suzie or something. Jealousy was not what I was feeling right now. It was worse than that. I sulked all the way to the cafeteria doors with Chloe talking non-stop, trying to cheer me up with something. It wasn't working that well though. I still felt like shit. We stood for a while waiting on the Cullen's to make their appearance. I'd spoken to Rosalie in English and she'd confirmed that they'd show up and sit with us for the day.
'Hey Chlo?' She looked at me and nodded her head before walking off towards the cafeteria doors. Its like she just knew I felt bad for making her wait on having her lunch. I was away to ask her to just go have lunch and not wait for me. I didn't want to make her starve any longer. I guess she just knew me too well.
I waited another five minutes before Edward appeared and walked up to me. 'Hello Bella.' I nodded my head in hello but instead of continuing on like I thought he would, he stopped and stood in front of me. 'You're waiting on my sisters and brother correct?' I nodded my head silently, still not uttering a word. 'Would you mind if I waited with you?' I shook my head no and smiled lightly at him. His dazzling smile was distracting. I stared at him slightly stunned before finally saying something, well I was away to, but he beat me to it.
'What's you're favourite colour?' He asked lightly. I looked at him and chuckled before shaking my head. 'What?' He asked innocently.
'No, its nothing. Honestly.' His eyebrows knitted together for a moment before he repeated his question. 'It depends on my mood really.' I shrugged my shoulders.
'What's you're favourite colour today then? Or what suits you're mood?' I looked down at myself. I was wearing a light brown sweater that tended to fall off one of my shoulders a pair of black leggings and some dark brown uggs. Frowning I looked up at him. 'Brown.' He cocked his head to the side in question but it was at that minute in time Rosalie, Alice and Jasper walked up to us. 'Hey guys.' I smiled brightly and gave Edward a shy wave while biting my lip as we walked away. He returned my wave but continued waiting where he was.
'Well, you know where we sit and shit so I'll just meet you guys there once you've gotten you're food, okay?' I wasn't in the mood to eat anything right now. They kind of paused before looking at me questioningly.
'Are you not waiting in line with us?' I shook my head lightly at Alice's question.
'No. I'm away out for a cig, I'll be back in a few.' Alice laughed and I smiled at the reminder of the other day. We'd met through my need for a cigarette. I walked off towards the main exit of the cafeteria and kept going until I was outside. The weather today was wet. Not a surprise here in Fork's, it could only stay dry for so long and it was November. I didn't really come out here for a smoke, I came out here for some air and to man up a bit before going back inside and facing Edward's siblings.
He'd made me act like a shy kid without even meaning to. The effect that had on my brain was confusing, frustrating and down right irritating. I wasn't an addicted smoker, I only had the occasional one if I needed it and if the day was particularly stressful then I had two or three. Like yesterday for example. I wanted to get to know Edward but if I became some pathetic little teen about it then I would force my curiosity to back the fuck off and move on with life.
But he was so fucking fit. He wasn't like the other boys at this school. He was.. A challenge. And I've never been able to resist a challenge. 'Isabella! Ah, jus' the lass I've been looking fir.' I jumped and squealed in fright as I turned to face Mr McMyres, the scottish, music teacher at our school. My hand was on my heart as I caught my breath. 'I'm sorry. I thought you knew I was here.'
I shook my head no and placed my hand on the strap of my back pack, glad my hair was up in a bun and out of the way. 'Anyway, I've been looking for ye for a reason. See I've got a problem wee my job I've got fir the dance. I'm in charge o' the music and I dinna ken what tae pick. I figured you could gee me a wee hand aye?' I nodded my head before coughing lightly and replying.
'Sure Scotty, whatever you want. I'm free tuesday about six-ish if you want to stop by the station and go through a few selections there?' I nicknamed Mr McMyres Scotty because his name was just too irritating to say all the time. He was our closest neighbour after the Cullen's. Him and his wife, so they often came round to visit. His wife is a police officer though so it wasn't unusual to find him at our house with her, dad and Sue after school.
It was only ever Scotty in school though, outside I called him by his name. Gregor. Or Greg. Mainly Greg. I also asked him to wait for me at the station because I worked there on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesday's and I was busy right after work on Monday.
I looked at him expectantly, waiting for a reply. 'Aye lass, that sounds great. I'll see ya round.' I nodded my head and decided I'd been out here long enough. It was time to make my way back inside and to the cafeteria. I turned and walked back slowly to the cafeteria, thinking about mom.
What would she do if it was her in this situation? Would she leave the Cullen's to go to her or take the lead and made sure they knew who she was. She'd choose the second one, just like I had. Maybe I was more like my mom than I originally thought.
Maybe I wasn't a bomber. Maybe I really was just a victim that somehow survived. I sure as hell hoped that was the truth. I went through the doors and made my way towards the table but when I made a quick count, three people I wanted there were missing.
I shook my head and changed my direction to the Cullen's usual table. I found them there. I blamed Jessica for this. Just. Saying. 'Hey guys. How come you aren't at my table?' I looked at them confused before looking over my shoulders and seeing many confused looks being shot my way from the group.
'We weren't welcome there.' I laughed and shook my head lightly.
'Rosalie. I choose who's welcome or not. You are welcome there. Come sit with us.' My voice was hard, my eyes cold with anger. Rosalie, Alice and Jasper shook their heads, causing me to groan. 'Fine. I'll sit with you.' I shoved my tray down and sat in one of the spare seats there. I avoided looking at Edward by looking over to my table to see Jessica, Angela and Chloe making their way over. Chloe looked smug, Angela confused and Jessica angry. I sighed before standing up to meet them at the same height.
'Why are you here B? We saved you're seat for you. Bitch face over here was gonna take it.' She waved her hand in the direction of Rosalie and looked over at me.
'Jess, I invited them to sit with us! Couldn't you have told them I sat there?' Chloe came and stood beside me. Angela soon followed her lead. I took comfort in that. Jessica faltered and I took my chance. 'Rosalie and Jasper Hale, Alice Cullen, I formally invite you to join us for lunch today.' I smiled and took a hold of Jessica's hand. I spoke to her quietly. Out of ear shot of the Cullen's and Chloe and Ang, but they were speaking to Rosalie, Alice and Jasper anyway.
'Jess, you guys mean more to me than anything right now and as much as I try to deny it, I've accidentally gotten attached, if this doesn't work, remember I'll always choose you guys. Okay?' Her eyes filled with tears as she pulled me in for a hug. I froze for a minute before returning the hug gently.
I wasn't use to quite so girly contact with people. Especially my inner crew. I turned to face the three Cullen's and motioned for them to join us. Reluctantly they stood and followed us back to our table. I had them sit next to Jessica, Chloe and Angela, because they all sat next to me and that's the closest I would allow them to get. Lunch went by quite smoothly as I nibbled on my pop tart.
Eventually, Cat made an appearance with orange hair. Not ginger, no. But orange. Surprisingly she suited it. Her arm was around Tyler's waist. Which completely gave away the fact she'd totally screwed him to get the dye done for free. 'Nice hair pussycat.' Ang yelled and laughed as I high fived her. Cats cheeks went a slight shade darker than before, making me laugh and offer her some of my apple. And I never shared my apples with anyone.
'B, are you feeling okay?' Cat asked, looking at me like I'd grown another head. I rolled my eyes. The whole table stopped talking to look at me. I nodded my head and continued to offer her the slice of apple. She took it cautiously and sat down next to Jasper. He looked like he was in a hell of a lot of pain right now. I watched her nibble on it lightly before turning to face Rosalie and Alice, who looked completely out of place. I grabbed Tyler and forced him to stand next to me.
'Rosalie, Alice, I want you to meet Tyler the Styler. He'll help you girls into finding the real you and becoming yourself. He's the next best thing.' I smirked before leaving them to talk but I caught Rosalie's sly smile.
'As opposed to what exactly?' Rosalie challenged. Most of the table were watching our exchange. I laughed lightly and placed my apple back down on the tray before looking at her confidently.
'Well,' I paused and sat up slightly straighter with a big smile on my face before shrugging my shoulders and pouting my lips slightly. 'Me.' Everyone laughed at that and even the three Cullen's managed to crack at least a small smile. Rosalie's left eyebrow raised slightly. Challenge accepted. 'Surely you agree?' The knife I used to cut my apple with was basically hanging out of my hand.
Rosalie placed one palm under her chin and leant her elbow on the table. 'I do not know you enough to say. However, I do think that too much confidence is the downfall of most high school reputations.' This time it was my turn to raise an eyebrow but I kept my smile in place, I was enjoying this.
'I'm assuming you're experience would be something I should trust in, correct?' I questioned. Her smile spread across her face as she nodded her head. 'Pity. Trust and I don't mix well together. It was a nice attempt at advice though.' I leant back in my chair as the others laughed at the look of utter shock on Rosalie's face.
'That's our Bella, you guys will soon realise she's a lot more than you bargained for.' I smiled at Jess's compliment. Even if it wasn't, I took it as one anyway. I knuckle touched Bex before turning to face Jasper who had risen suddenly, looking.. Well, being honest, like he couldn't feel. He shot an apologetic look towards Alice and Rosalie before picking up his tray full of food and putting it in the bin. He then walked over to his usual table and sat with his brothers.
I glanced over at Rosalie and Alice curiously before dropping the thought and turning to speak to Alice while Rosalie still recovered from my awesome "powering" skills. I opened my mouth to speak but was cut off by the bell. I groaned and shoved all of my uneaten lunch in the trash, then linked my arm with Cat's, shoving Tyler out of the way.
For a split second I looked to the left and saw Rex laughing at me but out of the corner of my eye, just to the right slightly behind Rex, I saw another person laughing. One that I barely knew yet was beginning to feel like I did. Edward was laughing at me shoving Tyler out of the way too. I was surprised to see he had been watching me though.
No. He hadn't. He'd glanced over this way and happened to see it. I'd get to speak to him in Biology though. That thought made me feel both excited and frightened. I took a deep breath and walked along the halls with Cat, not really listening to what she was saying. My mind was back on Bobby. I missed the squirt and I'd last seen him this morning but knowing I wouldn't see him for another two weeks made me wonder what the hell I was gonna do without him around. I usually spent my free time playing around with him.
He liked to play aeroplanes or "Who can break the already broken bed in the basement even more the fastest." Or hide and seek. Sometimes we just sat and watched a film together. His favourite was Toy Story whereas mines was Lion King. The bickering over this happened a lot so we agreed to watch anything but those. Unless it was Saturday. We watched one on one Saturday and the next on the second Saturday. And that was how it had worked for the three months I'd been back.
I shook my head and smiled at the thought of having Bobby and me cosy up in my bed and watch Toy Story 1, 2 and 3 the day he got back from Scotland. My mind however, was completely distracted when Cat and I entered the Biology class. Edward was already there and my smile couldn't be stopped, even if I'd tried to stop it. Which I did. After I realised I was smiling. I sat down next to him and noticed that his chair was no longer as far away as possible from me. It still was but it was now angled towards me, in a kind manner.
That made my smile threaten to make a second appearance. Man up Bella. I mentally slapped myself and shared a quiet hello with him before turning to face Mr Banner as he began the class. I tried not to fall asleep after the first five minutes. He was still blabbering on about Mitosis. I already knew this stupid shit.
I was not studying it again. I wrote down a few notes so I'd remember exactly what it was we'd learnt but it really was only a few notes. Edward and I never spoke again. The bell rang signalling the end of sixth hour and the beginning of seventh. 'Oh the joys.' I muttered before standing up and staring after Edward as he left the class in a hurry again but not before I heard his quiet laughter at my words.
I smiled and made my way to gym with Cat. I was at least making conversation with her now. Everyone was going down to the rez next week to visit the beach. It'd been too long since our last trip there and apparently the weather would be good. That excited me. We only ever went to the beach when the sun was out.
I agreed to go instantly, which in Cat's eyes was a good thing. Gym went by quickly. I only fell over twice, which was a new record for me. Twice was nothing compared to my usual amount of falls. I spoke to Rosalie and we'd agreed that maybe we should wait a little longer before her or Alice tried to sit next to us again. I was secretly relieved.
That was a little less stress and truthfully, I wasn't ready to be that close to them yet. Maybe Edward. I had thought I was, but I needed a little more on their background first. That was going to be difficult. I knew where I'd get the information I needed but it was next to impossible to get a hold of. If you weren't the Chief's daughter. I had to make a trip to the hospital sometime soon. Surely their files would be there somewhere. I'd just have to watch out for Dr. Cullen and my dad not catching me. I could do this.
I was smarter than the average teen after all. My mother always used to say that and so I had learned to believe it because it meant something to me now. It meant a lot to me. That only made this a hell of a lot easier.
