Staring at the empty space that Edward had occupied only minutes ago, I remembered Carlisle's promise. He swore he wouldn't tell Edward my past. Mumbling something about patient, doctor confidentially. Either way, he wasn't going to tell him. Although he did inform me that I should tell him. He swore that Edward wouldn't look at me any different, that it wasn't my fault. Did I believe him? Hell no! I knew how teenage boys think. He'd see me as truly damaged goods. He wouldn't want anything to do with me.
"Bella, sweetheart. Can I get you anything?" I was really starting to love my father. He was so different than Renee had ever been. Even though I used to love her, she never really was much of a mom. She had too much of child-like personality. She tried to be my best friend more than my mother.
"No, I'm fine. Thanks Charlie—er—dad."
"You'll get used to it, promise."
He smiled and winked at me, before he disappeared from my bedroom. I sighed, before grabbing my bag of bathroom necessitates and headed toward the bathroom to take a shower before bed.
The next day in school was interesting. Edward sat right beside me, and even though I tried my my hardest not to stare at him, I could tell he was staring at me. Not that I wasn't flattered that someone as hot as Edward Cullen was staring at me. I just wondered, why he was staring so intently. What was so special about me, than anyone else in this room. I could hear the two girls sitting to my life start to whisper. If I remembered correctly they were Lauren and Jessica. Edward had warned me that they were the type of girls that would make up any little thing they could to make the entire school body hate another student. I didn't' know them, but I didn't like them.
"what is so special about Bella Swan anyways?" the Lauren girl spoke softly.
"I know, I don't see what Edward sees in her. She's so plain!" Jessica spoke a little louder.
"I can guarantee you that she won't, or doesn't put out. Not like I did. I tell you Jessica, Edward was one hundred percent satisfied when I was done with him."
The smile on Lauren's face sickened me, and I wanted to throw up. I could tell that they knew I could hear them. I just wished I could punch them in the face and leave it at that.
"Hey Bella" Edward's voice broke into my inner thoughts.
"Yeah," I answered, looking toward him, trying to force a smile on my face.
"Class is over, you ready for study hall?" I wasn't quite sure what was up with him today. He never acted like this before, but he had a sort of mischievous smile on his face.
"With that smile—I'm not sure," I raised my eyebrow at him.
"Lets just say that you—me--and a few others have been busted outta school for the remainder of the day."
"Does Charlie know? Cause I don't think he'd approve."
"Oh yeah—he knows."
I realized that whatever was going on in his mind, scared the hell out of me. I wasn't a big fan of surprises, and that was obviously what was going on here.
I stood—gawking at a large white house, right on the river. I should have known that the Cullens had money. Hell, Carlisle was a shrink, but I was not ready for this.
"You coming?" he asked, before grabbing my hand and leading me toward his large house. Now I really was scared. I had yet to meet any of his family—besides Carlisle. I wasn't good with surprises or meeting new people. This was going to be like my living hell.
"Bella, so glad you could make it," Carlisle smiled at me, as I entered the large living room.
"Uh—Edward didn't really give me a choice—or tell me where we were going. Such a beautiful house--"
"Yeah, it is—but lets get started. First off, this is my wife Esme, my daughter Alice, and my son Emmett."
"It's nice to meet you." I tried to fake a smile as best I could.
"It's so very lovely to meet you Bella." Esme seemed so sweet—like how a mother should be. I was instantly jealous.
"Nice to finally meet you Bella," Alice smile at me, before hugging me. "We're gonna be lovely friends."
"Hey." was all the bear sized Emmett said. He intimidated me.
"Hey Bella." Charlie—was hear—now I really was confused. That was of course before my eye caught sight of the calendar. 'Shit.'
"Happy birthday," they all said at the same time, and before I knew it I was surrounded by more than just the Cullens I had been introduced by. Two beautiful blondes now stood beside Alice and Emmett.
"Bella, this is my boyfriend Jasper—and his sister Rosalie."
"Nice to meet you."
"It's so nice to meet you," Jasper spoke softly and I could tell I'd really like him.
Rosalie gawked at me, almost as if she didn't think I was worthy of standing before her, before kissing Emmett passionately on the lips. PDA, gross.
"Rosalie—be nice," I heard Edward say softly from beside me. I just noticed that he was still standing there.
"Hello—Bella."
She almost sneered my name, and I wondered why it was that she didn't like me.
"Hello Rosalie."
"So, lets do presents," Carlisle said, trying to change the subject.
"Oh seriously not necessary."
"Sure it was—it's your eighteenth birthday Bella—now lets do presents."
The night seemed like it would never end, but finally Charlie said it was time to go, and we left. I wasn't ungrateful for what the Cullens did for me. I thought it was great and I loved them for it, but I didn't' like surprises, especially when it came to my birthday. When we got home I feigned tired and went up to my room, and fell onto the bed. Soon, I fell into a fitful sleep, dreaming of nothing but Edward Cullen.
