Chapter eight: Complements
I jolted awake, hot and sweaty from my sleep. I looked around franticly, but found nothing out of place, sighing, I turned to my alarm clock.
6:30 claimed the glowing red light, moaning slightly, I detached myself from my bed and walked towards the bathroom for first claim on the shower.
After showering, I blow-dried and straighten my hair while munching on some cereal as I did so. For the second time in a row, I was ready before everyone else; I greeted a very sleepy Justin good morning and received a very unpleasant finger gesture in return. With nothing to do, I peeked out the curtained window more than once, checking making sure the clouded grey sky stayed that way.
It was on my fifth check to my window that I noticed a sliver Volvo in our driveway, concealed by the foggy morning mist.
I looked over at my brothers, pleased to see that they were still eating and made my way towards the door, ignoring their questions.
The chilly air stung at my face, no doubt turning it pink, which was unnecessary because of the fact, that in Edward Cullen's presence, I always end up with crimson cheeks.
"Good morning." He called pleasantly getting out of his car as I made my way towards him.
"Morning." I greeted him back, trying to sound casual.
We fell silent; I took the opportunity to fully process him.
As always, his tousle of bronze hair was in array of mess, that made him look incredibly sexy, his rich honey-gold eyes were surprisingly warm and open. All his features were perfect, straight, angular and defined. Dark blue jeans and a rich olive green sweater were the lucky clothes that got to cling to his body in the most flattering way.
When my eyes finally returned to his, amusement shone, making me cross my arm over my chest in a weak attempt to hide myself from those memorising eyes.
His perfectly curved lips formed a crooked smile that quite literally took my breath away, leaving me with an over-excited heart, scarlet cheeks and a somersaulting stomach.
"Do you want to ride with me to school?" the sudden change in his eyes caught me off guard, making him look vulnerable and unsure, as genuine uncertainty became clear on his flawless face.
I debated the best way to accept without seeming desperate or obsessed – although I was, he just didn't need to know.
"If your offering," I smiled, unable to resist. "I'll just get my bag."
As I walked through the threshold, my mother and her sons who were shooting questions at me left, right and centre pounced on me.
"Is he giving you a lift?"
"Do you like him?"
"Has he asked you out on a date?"
"Does he plan on leaving you in a field again?" the last one came form Justin, a low blow on my account. His remarks made everyone fall silent, finally giving me a chance to speak.
"Yes mum, he's giving me a lift and no, he hasn't asked me out." I turned to Matt, "Yes, I do like him. And no," I stared coldly at my older brother. "He isn't planning to leave me in a field – he never did – so just drop it, ok?" I looked at the trio with puppy dog eyes, the ones that always make my dad melt, and willed them to shine with unshed tears.
"Ok." Shrugged my mother and made her way back into the kitchen, a silent Justin in tow.
"Cass?" Matt asked, looking down at his feet. "Could you pick up some stuff for tomorrow? Please?" he raised his baby blue eyes, floppy strands of blonde hair getting in their way.
"Ice cream, sweets, fizzy-pop and a movie?" I asked. It was the standard friend-coming-over list.
"Can you get a scary movie?" he pleaded with a hopeful expression.
Before I had a chance to reply, my mother called from the kitchen, "No horror." In that really scary adults voice.
"Sorry, Matt." I sighed, winking as he handed over a twenty-euro note and went to retrieve my bag.
This time, I did not hesitate to walk towards the silver Volvo, sliding the passengers' seat, I was only half-surprised to find only Edward and myself occupying it.
"No family today?" I asked, trying to ignore my heart rate and the strange and foreign feelings welling up inside me.
"No, they are taking a ride with Rosalie today." He replied in a very alluring voice as he started his car.
Once again, we indulged in a comfortable silence; the soft purr of the engine lulled us into a dangerous sense of security, one that could end up with me drained of blood.
I sighed, noting that Edward went ridged as my breath filled the air; I was momentarily relieved that I'm the kind of person who always brushes her teeth, no matter what the situation.
"So, you have to go into town today?" the killer, yet so unbelievably tempting himself, vampire inquired – as always – catching me off guard.
"Yeah," I replied, noting that we were two minutes away from school. "Matt is having a few friends over."
I was unnaturally aware of him and our surroundings, the warm atmosphere of the car, the soft purr of the engine, the slightly intoxicating sweet smell that seemed to be lingering off him, the sight of blurred greens soon ebbing into the school grounds. Everything.
He parked the car; his eyes seemed to be searching for something out near the horizon, where the sun should have been, only was capped in thick, foggy clouds.
"Do you need a ride into town?"
I would say my heart picked up at the thought of spending time with Edward, but it was already going at an unnatural pace.
But why did he really want to spend time with me? There were many of times when I would think I imagined Edward coming into my bedroom and both of us admitting are feelings; I don't think he believes me as much as I believe him.
"Cassandra?" I realized that I never answered him, lost in my own world of vampires and love and what not.
I smiled, but I felt sad, I knew that he would never love me the way I love him but it still hurt to think that the evidence of it was right in my face.
"If you don't mind." I did not dare look anywhere near his eyes, I really didn't want to see what emotions that lay there, nor did I want him to see mine.
My tone must have changed, because I sensed rather than saw Edward's gaze on me.
"I don't." those two words were said so sincerely that I had to look, I had to be sure that my over active imagination wasn't playing tricks.
I became lost in a sea of molten gold; his usually wary eyes were filled with warmth, I tried to extinguish the single flame of hope that re-ignited inside me – don't worry I failed completely.
I smiled, a more natural one if you ask me, noting the heart-breaking grin I received in return. "I'll see you later then."
I was out of the car before he had a chance to reply, the feeling of joy seared through me, I managed to resisting the urge to skip my way to class, but nothing could make me wipe of the ridiculous grin from my face.
On my way through the parking lot, I passed a glossy red BMW, at least, that what I presumed it to be, what with all the school's population of guys crowding around the car with the same lustful expression.
I shook my head and carried on, today was going to be a good day for me, and I always could tell when it started off good.
"Someone's happy." Observed Kelly, coming to join me to science. "Of course anyone in their right mind would be if they had a chance to sit in the same car with Edward Cullen!" she grinned, linking her arm with mine. "I guess that means he's not gay then."
I laughed at the luminous blonde, rolling my eyes. "Well if he is gay, I plan to make him see the light."
"Halleluiah!"
We laughed all the way to science; the odd stare form Mr. Greene only made the whole thing worse. I could feel my sides beginning to ache and I began to worry about keeping myself on my chair.
I soon calmed down from my little fit, but excitement loomed over me, making it hard to concentrate.
I wondered if I should skip my lesson with Miss Mason, I was walking with Kelly to the canteen, already the day seemed to fly by, the thought was tempting – really tempting – but the thought of dropping out on the redheaded music teacher made me feel guilty. So I listened to my conscience and made my way to the music room. Of course, as always, I had to pass the Cullen table.
Four Cullen's sat there; the one I most wanted to see wasn't there. Alice looked up, smiling, I returned her smile and carried on towards the music block, ignoring the slight disappointed feeling that began to bloom inside.
Miss Mason was already by the piano; she briefly smiled as I entered but got straight to the point.
"I was thinking that we should try another Celine Dion song, maybe "Forget Me not" or we could try "I Know What Love Is", what do you think?" she looked up expectantly. I was internally glad that my mum was a die-hard Celine Dion fan and that I grew up hearing her songs.
" "I Know What Love Is." " There was defiantly no competition. As the beginning bars began to play, I found myself remembering the words, my lips forming them naturally.
"I was forgottenUntil you called my name
Lost in the shadows
Until you shined your light my way
Now I believe again
In all my dreams again
I'm wide-eyed and innocent
Those doubting days
Are so far away and oh
I will fall
And you will catch me always
Time has taught me this
I will fly
And you'll be there to guide me
Straight up to my heart's highest wish
I feel you close to me
And know what love is
Now there's no mountain
Too high for me to climb
No ocean so wide
That I could not reach the other side
Now I believe in me
'Cause you live and breathe in me
And nothing can come between
We are on star
No light can darken, oh
I will fall
And you will catch me always
Time has taught me this
I will fly
And you'll be there to guide me
Straight up to my heart's highest wish
I feel you close to me
And know what love is
It's an unspoken thing
A quite opening
There are no words that go that deep
But I know
I know
I will fall
And you will catch me always
Time has taught me this
I will fly
And you'll be there to guide me
Straight up to my heart's highest wish
I feel you close to me
And know what love is"
As Miss Mason played the finally notes, I looked up.
Edward was there, by the threshold of the door, a gentle smile on his lips. He looked so…proud. I could feel another blush creeping through my cheeks; I looked over at Miss Mason as she played the final note, praying she didn't noticed Edward.
She was beaming at me, so clearly she hadn't.
"That was…" she began only to be interrupted by the school bell.
I wanted to see Edward, wanted to know why he had followed me and I wanted to know what he thought of my voice.
"Have a nice weekend Miss Mason." I called over my shoulder, not bothering to listen to what she has to say.
Very few people had reached English before I did. One of them was Edward.
I as good as ran to our shared table, eager to know his opinion of my voice.
"Cassandra." He greeted, his golden eyes were alight, sending Goosebumps down my arms.
"Edward." I replied, resisting the urge to rub away at my newfound bumps.
I took my seat next to him; the scrape of the chair against the tiled floor was like nails on a chalkboard, in contrast with the silence that had befallen us.
Unable to break the silence, I searched for anything that would keep me occupied, well aware to the burning eyes that refused to stray away from me.
Latecomers began to load the classroom, filling it with the active noise of carefree laughter, harmless teasing and playful arguing, soon to decrease as Mr. Willis brought the class to order.
I tried to concentrate on what the English teacher had to say, something about our final draft for our Shakespeare reports, but I found it difficult. Ok, understatement, extremely difficult, but anyone would when Edward Cullen was looking at you with his perfectly pale face and butterscotch-gold eyes.
Finding my report from my English book, I scanned and re-scanned it, pleased to find nothing out of place.
With nothing to do and – Edward in my way of the window – nothing to see, I had nowhere to hide from those mesmerizing eyes.
"You are an amazing singer." His voice was low, just above a whisper that sent my Goosebumps arise with tingly feelings that shivered down my spine. His eyes held me, unable to look away; I stared helplessly into a sea of liquid gold, captivated once again by his vamperic beauty.
We were incredibly close, so close that I could count the flecks of brownish-black that rimmed his eyes; see my own dark eyes in his.
"Thank you." I blushed, suddenly embarrassed of the compliment that I was hoping for.
He instantly pulled away; at least I think he did. One moment I was gazing into those golden pools, the next they were a meter away from mine, suddenly wary and guarded. I internally kicked myself, cursing my now crimson cheeks.
I dropped my gaze back down to my report, trying to ignore the fact that he had stopped breathing, his body gone stiff and ridged.
How are we – mainly me – going to survive the trip into town?
And why the hell am I still getting those silly girly butterflies in my stomach?
We fell silent once again; a silent that I now felt compelled to fill, due to the fact that I was the reason behind it.
"Have you changed your mind about later on?" I asked my report, not bearing to see the pain that was raging in his eyes, the pain caused by the ongoing battle for my blood.
When he didn't reply, I grudgingly looked up, doing my best to avoid his gaze.
There was no need; he was looking out the window that framed a cloudy grey day that promised rain.
"No." I wasn't sure if he was trying to convince himself, or me. Either way, relief washed through me, almost bringing tears of joy to my eyes, what was it about this vampire that could always make me cry? And for the most unreasonable reasons!
I wondered if he was going to say something more, or was he waiting for me to say something? I could feel a black mood settling upon him, like a plague, festering away at him.
When the bell pulled me away from my observation, I rose, bending to whisper in his ear.
"Cheer up, sunshine." And was out the door before he had a chance to reply.
Of course, there is always something to ruin my day: Gym.
We had moved onto gymnastics, sadly a non-contact sport making it one I had to participate in, resulting in rope burns on the palm of my hands and the constant smell of feet that fumed the hall.
I would be lying if I said that I was surprised that Alice knew about today.
She was literally bouncing on her seat with impatiens; I couldn't help but smile and quickening my pace towards our table.
"Hi Alice," I smiled, sitting next to her.
"Well done!" she beamed. "I knew you would be able to change his mind. Lovely voice by the way. You two are so perfect for each other, what with Edward being all musical and you having the voice of an angel. So, about tonight?"
The little pixie looked at me expectantly, while I took the moment to clear my head.
I looked at her sharply. "What about tonight?"
Rolling her eyes, Alice said, "Calm down, I was only wondering what you were going to wear."
I raised an eyebrow. "Like you don't know?"
Mock horror – or was it genuine? – Plastered her perfect elfin features. "You can't wear them Cass," she indicated my faded blue jeans and my black and white stripy t-shirt.
I tugged at my t-shirt self-consciously, muttering. "There's no time. We're leaving after school."
A mischievous grin appeared on her face. Why did I have the feeling that I wasn't going to like this?
"There is always time for fashion." And with that she turned away from me, raising her hand.
After a moment, Mr. Foley looked up from his notes; a slight baffled look and knitted his eyebrows together.
"Yes, Miss Cullen?" he asked wearily.
"Sir, Cassandra and I have to meet Miss Mason." I was about to turn to face Alice to ask her just how much input the music teacher had in this match-making scheme, when she nudged me gently in the ribs, warning me not to.
"Do you have a note?" he continued, oblivious.
"Yes, sir." She lifted a folded piece of paper that was in her other hand.
Mr. Foley took his sweet-ass time, making sure he had extra time to answer Jenna Tonkin's question on the layout of the essay assigned, before coming to our table.
Silently, he took the note from Alice's hand, reading and re-reading it, ignoring the impatient tap of Alice's shoe against the floor.
"Of you go then." He dismissed gruffly, clearly having nothing more to keep us back.
The cool and hard texture of the pixie vampire's hand was shocking in comparison to my own, as she quickly – but gently – pulled me out of the classroom.
"Where are we going?" I asked, a little breathless from the slightly too fast for human pace the inky-black haired Alice was pulling me at.
"You'll see." She replied in a mysterious voice, pulling me in the direction of the music block.
I found myself, once again, in Miss Mason's music room, only the small human teacher wasn't there. Rosalie was.
Tall, blonde and a body that would make any woman feel depressed about; Rosalie was the incarnation of pure beauty.
She wore a tight, blood red boob-tube top that hugged at her curves and dark demin-blue jeans that only a girl with her legs could pull off.
"Hi." She smiled warmly as Alice pushed me into the nearest seat. This surprised me; Rosalie in the books was always quite cold towards Bella because of her choice to give up being human, something Rosalie would do anything for.
"Hi." I smiled back, though it was uncertain.
Alice appeared out of the store cupboard – I didn't even realize she was gone – holding a mountain of clothes all different materials and vibrant shades.
I raised my eyebrows at the shorter of the two, "This should be fun."
After four dresses, six shoes, and both my hair and make-up done, I was ready and quite hot in all honesty.
Alice had made me try on every item of clothing to make sure both Rose and I approved.
I gazed at myself in the large mirror that Alice had produce from that magical cupboard of hers.
It was purple silk with spaghetti straps dress that flowed down three quarters of the way to my knees (Alice had assured me that the evening weather would be nice) small black kitten heel shoes and a short sleeved, black cardigan.
Rosalie had worked wonders on my usually messy hair, making it sleek and straight and pinning it up so only my fringe fell.
"You look amazing." Beamed Alice as she handing me a black clutch bag.
"Yes, you do." Agreed Rose, her approval made me smile in return.
"Thanks. You guys did a wonderful job" My smile grew. "It's not too much is it? You know, for going shopping?" I eyed the thin material uncertainly.
"Who says you're just going shopping?" Alice asked, I saw the look pass between both her and Rose, the feeling that they weren't telling me something itched at me.
I didn't really have a chance to reply, as the ending school bell began to ring, setting free it's students for the weekend.
The two ushered me outside, and all the way to the parking lot, there cold hands were icy against the warmth of my body heat.
"Enjoy your evening Cass," giggled Rosalie, who was being lead away by a grinning Alice towards the red BMW.
They had deserted me; the rush of nerves hit me like a charging bull.
I wanted to run towards Justin's car, to be taking home.
Well no, that was bullshit. I wanted more than anything else at the moment, was to get into that silver Volvo, to share hours of the evening with Edward, to get to know him.
Taking a deep breath, I made my way towards the car.
Edward was leaning casually at the side of his Volvo; thought his memorising eyes scanned the crowd with uneasiness.
"Boo." I greeted as I joined him. "So, who are you looking for?" I made a mock search for the now thinning crowds.
"You look beautiful." I turned at the sincerity in his voice.
His golden eyes, now forever light, were warm and overwhelming.
Scorching heat seared through my cheeks, making them scarlet once again.
"Thanks." I muttered, looking away, adding. "But as I said before; Flattery will not get you anywhere."
I sensed rather the smile in his voice, "Are you ready then?"
My heart fluttered, it actually fluttered like in those silly girl books, a shiver of excitement quivered at my spine. Was I ready? No, but that wasn't going to stop me.
I smiled to myself; I was like an obsessed fan that won the lucky chance to spend the day with their favourite celebrity.
"Ready as I'll ever be." Which really wasn't saying much.