Hi Everyone!
I'm happy to inform you that Bella Unknown is here to stay! i got some fabulous reviews from some even more fabulous people and i'd like to thank each and everyone of you. I was really worried that you guys didn't like my story :(. I'm glad to know you do but i promise not to let it go to my head. i'm well aware my writing needs work.
I'm sorry its taken so long to update and i apologize if i scared anyone and made you think the story was gone for good.
p.s - Bella's eye chart is down the bottom again - i'll try to put it there every chapter.
Chapter 6 – Denial isn't just a river in Egypt
EPOV
This was the time of day when I wished I were able to sleep, High School.
Or was purgatory the right word? If there was any way to atone for my sins, this ought to count toward the tally in some measure.
The tedium was not something I grew used to; every day seemed more impossibly monotonous than the last.
I suppose this was my form of sleep - if sleep was defined as the inert state between active periods.
I stared at the cracks running through the plaster in the far corner of the cafeteria, imagining patterns into them that were not there. It was one way to tune out the voices that babbled like the gush of a river inside my head.
When it came to the human mind, I'd heard it all before and then some. Today, all thoughts were consumed with the trivial drama of a new addition to the small student body here. It took so little to work them all up. I'd seen the new face repeated in thought after thought from every single angle. I knew everything but the colour of her eyes and no matter how much I tried not to bother with the new shiny object I found myself more and more frustrated that this one piece of knowledge evaded me.
Why did no one care to note it? And why did she avoid eye contact so?
She was just an ordinary human girl, yet I found my eyes traveling to the cafeteria doors so that I could see her eyes for myself and have my curiosity sedated. It was annoying and tiresome that my thoughts centered around the same thing that half the sheep-like males were already imagining themselves in love with, just because she was something new to look at.
I tried harder to tune them out.
'Edward'. Alice called my name in her head, and had my attention at once.
It was just the same as having my name called aloud. I was glad my given name had fallen out of style lately - it had been annoying; anytime anyone thought of any Edward, my head would turn automatically...
My head didn't turn now. Alice and I were good at these private conversations.
It was rare that anyone caught us. I kept my eyes on textured grains of the cafeteria doors.
'How is he holding up?' she asked me, referring to Jasper my brother and the newest to our lifestyle.
I frowned, just a small change in the set of my mouth, nothing that would tip the others off. I could easily be frowning out of boredom.
Alice's mental tone was alarmed now, and I saw in her mind that she was watching Jasper in her peripheral vision.
'Is there any danger?'
She searched ahead, into the immediate future, skimming through visions of monotony for the source behind my frown.
I turned my head slowly to the left, as if looking at the bricks of the wall, sighed, and then to the right, back to the cafeteria doors. Only Alice knew I was shaking my head.
She relaxed. 'Let me know if it gets too bad.'
I moved only my eyes, up to the ceiling above, and back down.
'Thanks for doing this' she replied
I was glad I couldn't answer her aloud. What would I say? My pleasure?
It was hardly that. I didn't enjoy listening to Jasper's struggle. Was it really necessary to experiment like this? Wouldn't the safer path be to just admit that he might never be able to handle the thirst the way the rest of us could, and not push his limits? Why flirt with disaster?
It had been two weeks since our last hunting trip. That was not an immensely difficult time span for the rest of us. A little uncomfortable occasionally - if a human walked too close, if the wind blew the wrong way. But humans rarely walked too close, they even avoided eye contact.
Their instincts told them what their conscious minds would never understand:
We were dangerous.
Which is why I found myself filled with shock that as soon as the cafeteria doors opened I was met with two round warm blue-violet orbs situated in the face of the new girl Isabella Swan or Bella as she preferred.
I wasn't even in her direct line of vision. Even odder still is that she didn't look away.
Her eyes which seemed to deepen the longer I gazed upon them where not filled with the nervousness that I usually encountered in humans before they looked quickly away but rather ... something else. I wasn't entirely sure I knew what it was.
And I found my eyebrows furrowing in deeper confusion as I tried to read her mind in hope that her thoughts would reveal the answer. But instead I was met with silence.
I felt a moment of unease.
This was nothing I'd ever encountered before. Was there something wrong with me?
Worried, I listened harder.
All the voices I'd been blocking were suddenly shouting in my head.
I wasn't surprised when once again they revolved around Bella. But the point was that I could hear them all, hear every insignificant thing they were thinking as it passed through their minds. But nothing at all from the new student with the deep eyes that I felt were telling me something I didn't understand.
I found myself using my vampire hearing to listen out for anything she said hoping that hearing her voice would help me identify her mental voice amongst the hundreds in my mind.
So far though she hadn't said a word. Instead my ears were met with the voice of Jessica Stanley as she regaled her with the local gossip about my family and I.
Her gossip ended however when she noticed Bella's and my eyes locked in gaze.
A gaze I decided was time to break when Jessica questions Bella's interest in me.
Encouraging any feelings she may have for me would not do either of us any favors.
Though it is clear that Bella wasn't paying attention to her gossip when instead of answering Jessica's question she whispers two words in an unusually delicate voice.
"I Win"
I can't help the small smirk that appears on my lips at the prospect of her actually winning a staring contest against a vampire.
But my smirk falters when Jessica repeats her question and it is not answered with a direct yes or no but rather a nonchalant comment about my eyes.
I can't help the unrecognizable feeling that fills me without my permission but I am soon distracted from my confusion about it when Jessica warns Bella against me.
Suddenly the feeling that filled me a second ago is pushed to the back of my mind as I am filled with the sudden need to do anything it takes to quiet Jessica but that need is shortly replaced when Bella informs her that she isn't planning on pursuing me. Usually this would bring me relief but for some reason it brings me the complete opposite.
Unexpectedly my chair is kicked from underneath and Jaspers mental voice appears louder then usual inside my head.
'Edward, what on earth has you feeling this way? Here I am nearly falling off the wagon and I am suddenly filled with a growing confusion as to why. Then I am for some reason filled with humor at the prospect, then PRIDE for god sake! And I don't even have enough time to feel self disgusted before I am filled with the need to rip my intended preys head from her shoulders. AND after all that I feel like I have no reason to live! And imagine my surprise when I turn around and find that it's you who is emitting all these emotions, whilst staring at a god dam wall!'
I blink. What is there to say to that? Surely he is over stating my emotions.
'I can sense your skepticism Edward and although feeling content would look like feeling like a million bucks next to your usual apathy. Trust me. I'm not overstating your emotions'
Not knowing what to say I simply shrug my shoulders and look away.
Too bad I just happened to look into the eyes of a scheming pixie.
…
Lunch went both too fast and too slow. I still couldn't hear Bella's mind and it was frustrating me to no end.
My curiosity was driving me crazy. Why did she keep glancing my way? Was it just because she too was curious of my family's differences?
My reaction to her glances wasn't just frustration, in fact everytime i caught her eye a smile i couldn't control would spread across my face.
I comb a hand through my hair in frustration. I have to ignore these irrational feelings, even Jasper felt the need to calm me down.
'I'm fine' I tell him under my breath as we split ways.
At least I'll have an hour of correcting Mr. Banner to distract me.
I made it to biology and sat myself down in my regular seat. Mr. Banner had already started the role, in hope that he would call my name before I arrived. He never did. You just can't race a vampire and win.
I am soon distracted from my distraction though when I hear a delicate set of lungs take a deep breath and I turn my head just in time to meet Bella's eyes as she steps through the door.
She quickly looks away though and directs her gaze towards Mr. Banner.
For a second my mind is occupied with images of snapping Banners neck but then i am distracted when Bella passes in front of the heater and I am suddenly surrounded by her mouthwatering scent. I have to freeze every muscle in my body just to keep myself from running (at vampire speed) to her side just to be closer to that aroma. I prepare myself for the inevitable bloodlust, but it never comes.
Instead I realize, as I take a deep breath, that she is more unusual then I first thought.
She doesn't smell human at all.
She doesn't act like one either as her eyes snap up to mine and she begins a slow retreat out the door whilst never breaking eye contact.
Even though I am now sure she is not human, the desperation in her voice as she explains her illness to Mr. Banner has me convinced that she can become sick like one. I do not like where my mind has begun to wonder as I imagine what kind of sickness she may have, I pray to god it is not serious.
Although I can not fathom why I am so concerned, I am more then grateful when Mr. Banner chooses me to escort Bella to the nurse. Even though his choice was spurred greatly by his desire to get rid of me.
All I do know is the moment I stepped into the hall I felt like I had been punched in the heart.
Bella stands there crying looking as if she knows she's going to die. I can't help it when her name slips from my lips as the need to comfort her overwhelms me.
As soon I say her name her tears still and her eyes resume the blue-violet hue which coloured them the first time I saw them. I had been too distracted with her health before to notice that the aqua that they were but seconds ago was anything unusual.
I am filled with shock for what must be the fifth time today as I find she has yet another inhuman attribute.
But finding out what she is, is not my major concern.
I need to get her to Carlisle, he is the best doctor in I'm sure the world. And she will have nothing but the best.
I find myself stepping closer as I feel the need to be nearer to her and I repeat her name in greeting.
Her reply seems to lessen my worry but only by a fraction.
Her voice is heavenly as she speaks my name.
But all too soon I am brought back to reality when Mr. Banner clears his throat from near the biology room door.
A quick peek into his mind leaves me barely in control.
"Actually Edward seeing as Ms. Swan and yourself are already acquainted, perhaps we should allow someone else the chance to introduce themselves. Go sit down" Like hell I would.
I felt my fists ball on their own accord in reaction to his next sentence.
"Mr. Newton can you please take Isabella to the nurse"
"Yes Sir" was Newton's courteous reply, whilst his thoughts were anything but gentlemanly.
'… and Ms. Cope will let her go home … I'll drive her … and she'll want to thank me, perhaps with a kiss! … or I could ask her out…' The boy had no class. He wanted to take advantage of her ill health and attempt to obtain a kiss! I hope he catches her illness.
I nearly lost it when I reminded myself exactly what he'd have to do to catch it.
And that was when I had to back track. Who was I to care?
And what was she to me. The answer was nothing.
I was nothing but a vampire and she was … nothing, nothing but a curiosity.
She wasn't human and I needed to figure out what she was.
For my families safety and to sedate my curiosity.
But even if that was the case, she was still in need of medical attention and standing around fighting Mr. Banner's decision would only prolong her time without it.
So I turned to enter back into the class room, only I wasn't even completely facing the door before I freeze.
The sound of Bella whimpering causes a tightening in my chest and it pulls me to turn back to her.
And what I see nearly has me closing the distance to comfort her.
Her eyes were the deepest brown i had ever seen and the expression in them left me with little doubt about my next decision. She needed me.
Whether rational or not, she needed me and I wasn't about to let her down.
Filled with determination, I turn to face Mr. Banner.
"Actually Mr. Banner this is our first meeting, I only know Bella's name because, well to be frank, everyone does. I'm not sure how Bella knows mine though. One of her friends may have mentioned it" I hope my half truth is enough to persuade him. His reply leaves me little hope remaining.
"Well to be frank Mr. Cullen I'd prefer you in the class room. You've proven many a time that you're obviously more knowledgeable then I and your expertise may be needed. Newton however can be spared"
I can't help but narrow my eyes. Mr. Banner has always hated me for knowing more about his subject then himself. His thoughts at this particular moment leave the feeling mutual.
'...I won't have those lovebirds making out whilst I teach my class … Bloody show off Cullen...'
Lovebirds! The man has no idea what could happen if she got any were near my teeth.
"Thank you sir you are too kind" I manage to lie through my teeth
"But I am sure you are far more knowledgeable then I. You have taught me a lot. Which is why I think its best if I go. I believe Newton struggles in class and may need your help more. Ass well, if I am not mistaken I saw Bella and Newton talking earlier today and have already been introduced" well I didn't say I was there whilst they were talking. I had to endure Newton's lovesick mind to catch a glimpse at their conversation.
Mr. Banner's only reply is to point inside the class room and order me to sit and Newton to show Bella to the nurse.
There was no way to win this one. I felt frustrated at my own uselessness. I may not be proud of it but I was a powerful vampire and yet I couldn't win against the 'authority' of a simple school teacher?
I let out a harsh growl as I walk into the class room passing Newton on the way.
I somehow manage to resist the sudden urge to punch his shit eating grin off his face.
I soon find myself glaring down at my desk whilst observing Bella's health through Newton's mind.
No further explanation needed for the glaring.
'Should I ask her something? ... I should probably wait until I driver her home… she probably feels to ill to talk … wonder if its food poisoning…can you get that from salad…I once got it from a chili dog…'
I didn't know whether it was better or worse that he cared about her health, I didn't have a chance to decide before his loud thoughts entered my mind again.
'NOOO! ...What does she mean she doesn't want to go home?... anyone would jump at the chance of a day off school'
As much as it surprised me, I actually agreed with the boy.
Why didn't she want to go home?
And more importantly, why wasn't the nurse doing anything more then sending her into the sick bay? she should go to the hospital or at least go home and rest.
Luckily there was a ninth grader faking a stomach ache or I would have had no way to keep an eye on her.
A little less then an hour later she left telling Ms. Cope that her stomach had settled and that she'd like to go to her next class and as I made my way to mine I made sure to steer clear of her path. My involvement would do no good.
Unfortunately Newton 'accidentally' ran into her instead.
When they made it to class, I began to worry.
Surely she wasn't up for physical activity just yet?
Thankfully the teacher gave her the day off since it was her first day.
I watched her through Newton's mind, ignoring his thoughts as his eyes hardly ever leave her.
I studied her as she sat on the bleachers staring up at the cracks in the roof as I had done the wall in the cafeteria earlier. Her focus barely straying until 45 minutes later when the coach's raised voice drew her attention.
"Mr. Dartin" he threw his voice to the other side of the gym where a boy I didn't recognize stood at the entrance doors.
Bella seemed curious and her eyes darker but Newton's human vision hindered my ability to study all her features.
"Excellent news on track try outs. I talked to the board and it's a go ahead …" He rambled on about the track tryouts and sent the boy off to send a message through the p.a. system.
10 minutes and one school wide announcement later the last bell had rung for the day and I made my way towards the parking lot, still keeping a close eye on Bella. Unfortunately Newton left to change and I was left unnervingly blind to her whereabouts. I tried the coach's mind, only to find that he wasn't even aware of her presence. My desperation only spurred me to retreat from my observations. It was frightening how much of a stalker I was becoming.
When I made it to the parking lot it was raining and I raced at the fastest speed I dared in front of humans. Rose would kill me if I ruined my car in anyway.
My eyes wander to the school doors as I wait for my siblings to arrive.
Student after student poured out into the parking lot, scurrying to get into their heated cabs.
I began to worry when my sibling didn't appear after five minutes.
I was about to scan the school for their minds when I was stopped dead in my tracks.
There she was. Bella
She stood out amongst the hustle and bustle of the student population, taking her time, seemingly unconcerned by the rain.
In fact I had begun to believe she hadn't noticed it until she stopped in the middle of the walkway after exiting the office.
Unconcerned by the people around her, she turned her head to the sky and a small smile played on her lips.
It really was a beautiful sight.
But extremely stupid, she could catch her death, especially after her illness earlier during the day.
So I did the only reasonable thing to do. I decided to protect the object of my curiosity; after all, if she was dead *wince* I wouldn't be able to find out what she is, I reasoned.
Grabbing my umbrella out of the glove compartment I head out toward her.
As soon as I had lifted it above her head however, the most adorable pout formed on her lips and her eye brows furrowed in confusion.
Her eyes pop open and I am met with two magenta orbs which slowly morph in to blue-violet.
Is their a reason her eyes change colour so?
I don't contemplate it further. My thoughts seize and become muddled when those warm violet eyes widen and those pouty lips pout even further. . . . Beautiful . . .
I'm mildly aware of an angel calling my name, but I'm too dazed to answer.
Then the angel calls again, this time her voice is insistent.
"Earth to Edward, Is any body there?" I'm immediately brought back to reality.
What. On. Earth. Was. That?
Concerned for my sanity I resort to distracting her by playing dumb.
"Yes, sorry, I got distracted for a minute there. Did you want to ask me something?"
Her only reply is to innocently ask why I had taken the rain away and mention that she was enjoying it.
"Bella, you could catch your death standing out in the rain like this" I state in utter seriousness, but it only seems to confuse her further.
"Thank you Edward but ... Why?" she asks. And I now find I am the one confused.
"Why what?"
She looks to the umbrella before answering
"Why are you standing out in the rain holding an umbrella up for me?"
Her question shocks me. Why am I doing this? Well I can hardly mention that I'm protecting my curiosity.
So instead I say:
"Is there something wrong with doing a good deed every now and then?"
In which she replies
"No, good deeds are called good for a reason. Thank you again. But don't think this means that I forgive you"
Dear Lord, how could I have not contemplated this? Of course she wouldn't forgive me for failing her the way I did.
She practically begged me to stay and yet I walked away.
I have to do apologize. Now.
"I'm sorry Bella you shouldn't forgive me. I failed you. I should have just escorted you myself. But instead I let that vile Newton take you"
She doesn't acknowledge my apology. Instead she immediately defends the Newton boy.
Does she 'like' him? Was she beginning me to hurry up and leave, not stay?
She soon moves on to explain that she wasn't even talking about the Biology incident. Though I am glad she doesn't blame me for it, I still believe it was my fault. I could have escorted her anyway. I didn't have to yield to Banner's 'Authority', not to mention the fact that it was I who did the ego bruising in the first place.
But then I fully grasp what she is saying.
If she was not referring to the biology incident, what else have I done for her to find me guilty?
When I ask she replies by restating her belief that what happened during Biology was not my fault and that as for what I have done that she finds 'utterly impossible' to forgive is steal the rain from her.
I can't help but smile with relief when I realize that she has been speaking of the rain all this time. She truly is unpredictable.
I play along with her fake seriousness when I reply
"I apologize Bella, I was not aware it was possible to steal the rain and as extraordinary as it would be to have it in my possession I feel compelled to return it to you" and with that said I remove the umbrella from shielding her and let the rain droplets fall upon her head in jest.
She lets out a sigh of content.
"However" I say
"only for the time it takes me to walk you to your car. Surely you would enjoy it more from the inside of your heated cab" her response is to adorably scrunch her nose.
"Actually a heated cab doesn't sound all that appealing to me. I much prefer the heat of the sun or the chill of fresh air, especially when it's raining. It rains so rarely back in Phoenix" I'll have to remember that.
"I'll make sure to remember that" I tell her
"But perhaps just for now you can brave your cab for the drive home. You have already been ill today and I do not wish to feed whatever it is that ales you"
She sighs dramatically and tells me that she will seek the 'comfort' of her cab but only because it is important to me.
I can't help the sensation I get when she says that.
It seems Jasper can't help but notice it either as he and the rest of my siblings finally arrive.
'Edward?' Jasper questions.
And with that my head is filled with the thoughts of my family.
I have some explaining to do.
I offer Bella my thanks and then declare that I have to drive brothers and sisters home.
I start to leave but I am stopped in my tracks when warmth radiates up my arm and I feel a delicate hand grasp mine.
"Aren't you forgetting something Edward?" she asks
Am I?
"You said you would walk me to my car" the word pathetic screams in my mind, but it is not a thought of my own. In fact i am all the more urgent to leave so that i may go yell at Rosalie who is now in my car along with the rest of my family. I need to get back to them as well, their thoughts are escalating.
I slowly pull my hand from hers and take a step back.
"Bella, I don't want you to get the wrong idea" I say, because I truly don't.
"I offered only to be polite" it would not be safe for her if we were to become too close.
I nearly take it back though when her face drops in misery.
She smiles weakly before replying
"That's okay Edward. I understand. I was just hoping we could be friends. But if you don't want to..." she trails off
"I guess I'll see you in Biology" she finishes then turns to leave.
"Yeah see you" I mutter whilst her words remind me of my vanity. She had already mentioned in the cafeteria that she had no plans to pursue me romantically, yet I had again assumed she did.
Why did I feel as if my hopes had been crushed?
I do my best to forget the feeling as I walk back towards my Volvo and away from her, and at the same time I absently wonder why the rain smells faintly of salt.
...
Once again I'm Sorry its taken me so long but i hope you liked it.
hope to update soon - Dele
...
Heres the eye chart again ( i will provide explanations for the colours later on)
DarkBlue Violet(the colour Edward liked in the original twilight (Its a dark blue) - love
midnight blue - lust
aqua - saddness
Saphire - happiness
Electric blue - excitement
Cobolt - scared
Ice blue - anger
Coal - hate, (if looks could kill)
Grey - emotionless
Brown - need
Purple - Curiosity
