(Bella's POV)
I awoke the next morning to the sound of a loud car horn. I jolted awake in bed and sat up. Quickly I ran towards the window, wanting to see who it was waking me up. Before doing so, I glanced at the clock. Oh wow, if that annoying horn hadn't been honking I probably would have ended up late for school. I opened my window and look outside. The wind blew my hair into my eyes but that didn't stop me from seeing the bright silver of Edward's Volvo.
"What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be at school?"
"Shouldn't you?" Edward was suddenly right in my face, making me jump back.
"Ahh! Don't do that!" I yelled.
"Calm down. Besides, you need to get dressed. Even with my driving you may be late for school." My eyes widened and quickly I grabbed my clothes before running off towards the bathroom. Once there, I rushed to get ready. When I was done, I ran back inside my room and grabbed my bags for school.
"Bella." Edward said as I rushed down stairs, searching for the keys to my truck.
"Not now Edward." I looked in the kitchen but couldn't find them.
"But Bella…"
"I said not now Edward. I'm trying to find my keys." I looked through a pile of papers on the kitchen table but still they weren't able to be found.
"Bella.." I slammed my hands on the table, completely aggravated.
"What?" I glared at Edward with all my might but despite my fierce eyes he began to laugh. I heard the chime of metal and looked towards his outstretched hand. Hanging from Edward's pointer finger was my keys. Quickly I snatched the keys from his hand and pocketed them.
"It's not that funny." I mumbled when he continued to laugh.
"I know it isn't but you should have seen your face."
"I can have a rather terrifying face thank you very much." I said, not facing him.
"I know Bella, I know. I'm sorry." I sighed.
"It's alright. What are you doing here though? I figured you'd be at school already."
"I came here to pick you up so if you're ready…." He motioned towards the door. I hesitated before nodding and walking outside. Edward followed behind and closed the locked door.
Quickly, I made my way to the passenger side of his Volvo and climbed inside. After I was buckled, Edward zoomed to his side, got in, and soon we were speeding down the road to school. I stayed quiet, silently praying that I'd live through the death trap. Finally we were parked just outside the school's main office.
"Thanks, I think." I whispered, still shocked. My hands were stiffed when I removed them from the padded seats. Edward laughed and was soon out and opening my door.
"Sorry, I guess I went too fast for your first ride."
"The first? You mean I should be expecting more death traps? Great." I groaned sarcastically.
"Well I've got to take you home don't I? Otherwise you'd be stuck walking through the rain. I'm positive you wouldn't like that." I grimaced and nodded before following him inside the school.
"I'll see you at lunch?" Edward asked.
"I guess. Am I sitting with your family or are you coming over to my usual table?" I asked. Looking at how we acted now, it's hard to believe that only last week we were complete strangers. Maybe this means we'll become close friends…..or something more. My face instantly flushed at my thoughts and I shook my head.
"Actually, I thought it'd be better if we sat by ourselves for lunch. That way we could get to know each other a little more. Is that alright with you?" I nodded and looked away, making sure to hide my face.
"See you later then." I mumbled before walking away.
LUNCH TIME
(Bella's POV)
I sat down in front of Edward, my tray slamming onto the hard wooden lunch table. I squirmed in my seat. Already I could feel the eyes of the entire student body. I attempted to resist the urge to stand and walk out of the cafeteria. Obviously, I wasn't one that liked the spotlight. Opening my water bottle, I took a long sip before finally looking at Edward.
"Um…." I said, not knowing what to say but in desperate need of some noise.
"Bella, can I tell you something?" Immediately my heart thumped at the words, hoping kneading its way in.
"Uh…yeah. What is it?" I asked. I tried to calm myself down, knowing Jasper was else where in the room, feeling my conflicting emotions. That also meant he could be feeding them to Edward. I glimpsed towards their usual table and caught his eyes. He shook his head slightly, answering my unspoken question.
"You're going to have to do something about Mike Newton."
"What?" I asked, completely caught off guard.
"He keeps looking over here. In fact, I'm not even sure if he's even looked away. His thoughts are extremely jealous."
"Jealous? Why would he be jealous?"
"Bella, do you seriously not see the kind of attention guys give you at this school? The first day you came here you were the only thing on every guys mind. Mike's mind was the worst of all. It's ridiculous how much he acts like a golden retriever around you." I had to laugh at the simile.
"I guess he does some doesn't he? I thought I was the only one who noticed." I smiled at him before taking another sip of water.
"So what do you think I should do Mr. Overprotective? He's my friend and apparently he has a huge crush on me. I can't just tell the guy to get over me. It's like telling you not to hunt." Edward but I ignored him. He knew I wouldn't tell anybody.
"I'm not sure, tell him you're not going to go out with him?" He suggested. I raised an eyebrow.
"Why wouldn't I? He's nice enough, much nicer than you've been. Besides, you know very well he wouldn't give up there. He's too determined."
"Bella.." Edward started, I interrupted him.
"No Edward, listen to me for once. Just because you're more powerful than I am doesn't mean you have the right to tell me who I should and should not date. I'm old enough to make my own decisions so don't start thinking that you can make them for me." I glared at him across the table, waiting for his response. Soon Edward opened his mouth but instead of words there came a long sigh.
"You're right, I'm sorry." My eyes widened and I leaned across the table in shock.
"Repeat that? I'm not sure if my human ears heard you."
"I said you're right and that I'm sorry." Edward repeated, this time annoyance showing in his voice. I smiled widely at him.
"Are you alright? I think you're finally becoming sane." I said jokingly.
Suddenly I heard a loud booming noise along with other softer ones. I turned in the sounds direction and saw all of the Cullen's but Rosalie laughing their heads off. I blushed, knowing why they were laughing. When I finally looked back at Edward I could tell he was annoyed.
"Sorry, I forgot they could hear us." Edward laughed and shook his head.
"You're definitely going to supply some entertainment."
"Not the kind that involves bloodsucking I hope." Edward looked offended before he realized I was teasing.
"Nope. I truly am sorry though. I guess I've been a vampire too long to relax any."
"It's fine but that's definitely got to change. Don't you know that life and the afterlife are absolutely boring when you don't loosen up? Take Alice for example. She's relaxed and seems to have a lot more fun than you do. Maybe it's time you've loosened up some."
"You do realize that's easier said than done right? Besides, we vampires are better suited for seclusion so we won't be found out."
"Yet you come to a public school and attract a large amount of attention. That so sounds like seclusion to me."
"Well it's not like we can be cut off from society completely. People would get suspicious and sooner or later we'd run out of money to survive off of."
"I guess that makes sense, in a way. Sadly you can't get anyway in today's society without money."
"It makes a lot more sense once you've become a vampire."
"So does that mean one of you will turn me?"
"NO." I leaned back a little in surprise by the harsh tone of this voice.
"Ok then, no need to get angry. So if you guys aren't going to change me, then what will you do with me?"
"That… hasn't been decided yet."
"Great… not." I sighed and took a sip of my water once more.
Before either of us could respond again, someone sat down beside me. I turned, expecting one of the Cullen's, mainly just Alice, but instead I saw Mike.
"Oh, hey Mike. What are you doing over here? I thought you'd stay over there with the others."
"Well Jessica, Lauren, and Angel wanted to see if you would go shopping with them for a dress to wear to the dance."
"Why didn't they ask me then?"
"They had to go do something." I raised my eyebrow but didn't say anything. From the corner of my eye I saw all three of the girls sitting at the regular lunch table laughing while eating their food.
"Well tell them I wasn't planning on going to the dance. I'm a horrible dancer and no one's asked me." With that I turned away and had another sip of water.
"That's something else I needed to ask you Bella. You see…I wanted to know if you would like to go to the dance with me?" I froze mid swallow and my eyes widened. I stared at Edward, begging for his help but all he did was shake his head no. I sighed and took the bottle from my lips.
"That's sweet Mike but I'm afraid my answer is no. I'm actually busy that weekend. I need to go up to Port Angeles. Tell Jessica, Lauren, and Angela I'll still go shopping with them but just to give my opinion, nothing else." I made sure to stress that point and was rewarded by him nodded and walking away. I sighed in relief and ignored the coming laughs from the Cullen table.
"Sorry about that. I really didn't expect him to ask me, though I guess I should have."
"No, it's fine. It was actually pretty funny to watch him walk away with his tail between his legs." I shook my head with a smile before standing to throw away my food.
"Where are you going?" Edward asked as I stood.
"To throw away this tray. Besides, we'll have to go to biology in a minute."
"I guess you're right about that." He walked with me to throw away my food before the bell rang and we left for biology. We had only just sat down when Jessica came over.
"I'll pick you up Saturday around 2 ok? I have a few errands to run before then but afterwards I'm free. Is that good with you?"
"Sure, I'll tell my dad tonight." Jessica nodded and walked off to her seat.
I realize I haven't updated in a REALLY REALLY REALLY long time but at least I'm updating tonight :D I already have a little of the next chapter written so that's good. High school Honors classes have kept me busy so I haven't had much of a chance to write, let alone post anything. I also have to practice my flute for this competition in April as well as an Arts Fusion thing my school is going to have. Anyway, I promise I'll try my best to post up here more often but there's no guarantee when that will be. I have one request for you guys though, please review. I haven't read any review from you guys lately so I really miss them. You have no idea how much it means to read your review, whether they're good or bad. If they're bad, that just tells me I have room to improve, which I already know I do. Anyway, please review!