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EAC: The Journal of Edward Cullen
January 18, 2005 11:52 p.m.
I knew that my first meeting with Bella would be a shock to my system. Her blood would call to me, even though I had tried to acclimate myself to it. What shocked me more was the fact that I couldn't hear her mind. I was actually startled when she stepped from the school's office. I hadn't heard her coming.
I'm never caught off guard and yet, I was.
It had taken several seconds for me to realize that she was actually standing before me. My catching her as she stumbled was done purely on reflex. I've never known anyone that I couldn't hear. This will need more study and adds another layer of things to discover about her.
Bella is simply stunning. Her voice is music to my ears. Hearing it for the first time, as she thanked me for keeping her from falling, nearly struck me mute. A slight blush came to her cheeks as I searched for words to greet her with.
The scent of her blood pulled me back to the moment and I found myself smiling at her, joy filling my heart.
A few awkward moments later and, with her permission, I escorted her to her first class, which also happened to be mine. People stared at us and I felt her embarrassment. I worked to keep people polite and at a bit of distance and she appeared to appreciate my efforts.
At one point Eric Yorkie rushed up to us and asked if she'd allow an interview and a picture for the school paper. Bella declined and a glare from me made Mr. Yorkie move along.
At lunch I asked Bella if I could join her at a table with Angela Weber. Another soft blush accompanied her agreement. Angela is a truly nice girl and she kept up a gentle conversation with Bella. She seemed pleased with my interest in Bella, unlike some of the other thoughts from the children around us. Lauren and Jessica are vicious girls and we'll be keeping a close eye on them. The young men were annoyed by my interest too. I was pleased that she seemed more interested in me than in them. Alice said that my escort of her was a good thing. It kept their plans to get an in with the new girl in check.
My entire plan for this day was just to meet Bella, to get past that first inhalation of her scent, and to maybe speak to her a time or two.
The day went much better than I had hoped. I kept meeting her eyes, or rather, she kept meeting mine. That is huge with humans. So often they are drawn to us, but then that self-preservation gene kicks in and they want to flee.
Bella kept meeting my eyes and I'd find myself just enjoying the moment. By the end of the day, after sharing classes and lunch with her, I felt how at ease she was with me. Alice came up to us as I walked her to her truck. She smiled as she met her eyes too. Alice was also astonished at the ease with which she made small talk.
Flickers of the future kept running through Alice's mind. Further meetings, that looked to be actual dates, began to run together in a never-ending film.
A last smile from Bella and she was on her way, her truck loudly exiting the parking lot.
Alice hadn't been able to keep her smile from her face. But then, neither could I.
The family quickly joined me at the car and there were grins on their faces too. They all had something to say about what they had heard about Bella and how I appeared to be staking my claim.
As long as Bella didn't mind, and she seemed happy to see me each time I had appeared, I don't really care what anyone else in the school has to say. Alice had already foreseen my first date…and I was going to ask Bella out at lunch tomorrow.
There is so much hope in my future and it all starts now.
So? Was the meeting satisfactory? There are a few more bits...and then maybe more? Maybe? Some of your reviews have gotten my creative juices flowing...
Keep laughing, LJ Summers...I know you love me!
Kathie
