AN: Alrighty readers, here's the final updat for tonight. But you have my word that more will be posted before the end of the week! Here's the rest of Bella's first day back...I know I can't wait to find out more either!
Disclaimer: I hate you disclaimer, I hate you.
Until lunch the rest of the day passed without much incident. I had Emmett in my math class and all he did was stare at me open mouthed, I got the saw reaction from Jasper in English. The girls were both in my History class and thought this was all hilarious. We had lunch next, and then I separated from them to go to my life management skills and science classes. No P.E. for me this year. Booya! I had the girls in my last class of the day which was another art. This was one was just painting—my favorite.
Heading to lunch we caused another stir. That was the trend whenever the three of us navigated the hallways or even when I got up to sharpen my pencil in class. It was startling yet…a little fun. It was interesting seeing how life was for Rosalie. The spotlight was still on her, but I was turning heads.
Once we arrived in the cafeteria everyone started whispering. I froze but Alice gently prodded me forward, I was still heading our little group. We went through the line and got our meals and found Jasper and Emmett sitting in silence at our usual table. Quick glance of the room I didn't see any sign of Edward anywhere. My heart fell a little at that but with a shrug I sat down.
"Bella…what the…hell?" Emmett stuttered out and Jasper nodded fervently at his side. The girls laughed while I blushed.
"Boys, it was time for me to polish up a little. It's still me. Believe me," I whispered leaning forward trying to show I was being sincere.
They just stared at me in disbelief. I sighed cracking open my soda. There was only way to prove it to them…the girls were going to be so pissed. Swallowing some more air for good measure, I looked at them and began.
"A..B..C..D" The boys' eye light up and they started to laugh smacking the table. The girls looked at me horrified but I just shrugged and continued.
"X..Y..Z" I finished and the boys were gasping for air. The girls looked for revolted but I had to. These were my brothers; I had to make things right with them.
"Bella, there are other ways to make amends," Alice said still looking mad but Rosalie just rolled her eyes. You could make a dog quack like a duck, walk like a duck, and even look like a duck but it was still a dog after everything.
The boys wiped the tears from their eyes and were immediately at ease. Their joking about my fancy new look could begin once order had been restored. I was the only one that seemed to notice the empty seat at our table.
The girls had forgiven me by the end of lunch and even let me back to leading us out if I promised never to do that again. I swore I would never do it again…at lunch. Smiling to myself I walked us out with the boys falling in step behind their respective ladies.
It happened when we got to the door. A flash of bronze and green. I stumbled for the first time today.
"Bella, you ok?" Alice asked laying a little hand on my shoulder. I nodded and laughed.
"Fit as a fiddle," but my heart was still thundering in my chest.
Jasper and Emmett ended up being in my Life Management Skill class. We sat at the back at the same table. The teacher announced as she passed out textbooks that we were going to jump right in with reproduction.
Jasper and I chewed on our fists trying not to burst out with laughter at the look of horror on Emmett's face. I knew for a fact that he knew all about how to make a baby but took special precautions never to have one.
The idea of a baby in a woman was a little too Alien for him and creeped him out better than any zombie flick. Oh this was going to be fun
I was still laughing to myself when I headed into my science class. I threw Mr. Cermona a little salute which he returned with a small smile. He taught science for both Juniors and Seniors, which was alright. He knew what he was talking about.
I sat at my usual table when of course…Edward slid into the seat next to me. My whole body started tingling. I couldn't catch my breath. Even without looking at him I started a coping technique. Putting my feet firmly on the ground I started breathing. In and out, in and out.
Ok, deep breaths. Now look for 6 red and/or blue objects. T-shirt: red, skirt: red and blue, jeans: blue, my dress: blue, textbook: blue, and….watch! red.
I realized my breathing had even out and I could relax. Taking another deep breath I even glanced at him. He was perfect, beautiful and unchanged.
"Lab partners again?" He whispered to me in a low voice. I got all warm and felt my heart flutter. Jackass.
"Looks like it," I murmured back and thank God it was as steady as the rain falling outside.
"Excellent," and I saw a flash of a smile and then silence reigned as we turn our attentions to Mr. Cermona. I understood the gist of what he was going on about but I kept getting distracted but Edward's smell and warmth washing over me and wrapping me up.
By the end of class my head was swimming. The bell was a relief and I quickly gathered up everything and booked it for the door.
This was going to be a very long year.
The girls knew something was wrong as soon as I entered the classroom but I just shook my head and sat at an easel.
Mrs. Phillips talked about how art can be used to express our emotions. So she said today she wanted to glimpse our souls through what we were feeling today. I rolled my eyes but got to work.
I pulled off my jacket and on a smock. After gathering paints and palate I sat before my easel and closed my eyes. My emotions fell and rose like a great ocean. Not one more prominent than the others, all just twisting in on each other, swirling and mixing together like a long forgotten dream.
Falling into autopilot I started mixing colors and let the paintbrush express what I couldn't find the words for.
When were alerted to clean up and present our work I was surprised to see that I did indeed create an ocean but amongst the various hues of blue, bronze and green stood out…
Jacob was waiting for me at the curb he dropped me off at. The girls were trailing after me but I had to get out. So I jumped on behind Jacob buckled the helmet firmly in place.
I buried my head in his shoulder blades and waited for him to get going. I felt Jacob have a silent conversation with the girls but I just waited. At long last I felt him kick Miranda to life and with a roar we were sailing again.
Rounding the edge of the parking lot I raised my head. Just like usual it was the general line of brightly colored beetle all showing off for one another. Jacob weaved us in and through the mess. He took us right in front of a silver Volvo.
It was like time was suspended for a moment. We just stared into each other's eyes. Neither of us breaking it just letting the electricity crackle and then he was left behind. Jake turned on the main street and let Miranda really stretch her legs.
We flew leaving Forks and all its complexities behind. I sighed and laid my cheek against Jake's back.
I was wrong. During science I thought him unchanged, perfect. But he was different. More confident, self aware—I shivered at the idea. This was going to be a long, long year.
Later that night.
I didn't tell Jacob what spooked me, just not to worry. He told me that if I didn't text him by the end of the evening he was calling the cavalry and come over. I smiled at the memory. I wasn't going to relapse. I was just confused by the day's event but…more amused than anything else.
"What a first day back!" I mumbled to myself. I changed immediately into some sweats, even they had an Alice twist to them, but I felt it would keep my Dad's blood pressure at a more even level instead of the dress.
Dinner was fairly silent, nothing out of the ordinary until my dad erupted.
"Where did you get that….outfit?" he thundered.
For a moment I was confused. It came out of nowhere that I actually looked down at what I had on.
"No! This morning, what was that?" he thundered throwing down his knife.
I laughed…I couldn't help it.
"A dress, Dad."
"Yeah….well..." he sputtered, "what happened to the rest of it?"
Unfortunately I chose that moment to take a drink of lemonade only to send it shooting out of my nostrils as I tried to laugh. Oooh the stinging was unbelievable.
He was blushing, showing he was uncomfortable but I couldn't help myself. Maybe I was hanging out with the girls too much, or just Jacob but I felt my sassy remark from deep down before I let it sing.
"What's the big deal? You wanted me to hang out with the girls, be more girlie. I would think you would be happy."
He made noises similar to a fish out of water. I finished my dinner in silence while he found his voice.
"Yes but that dress. People might think you're a scarlet woman!"
I really laughed at that, I mean where does he get this stuff from?
"I'm not dressing skanky, believe it or not that's how girls dress these days, and I'm determined to be one of the girls for once."
I stood up and rinsed off my plate. "Your turn Daddio, I'm going to my room and consider doing my homework."
I was on the stairs when he called out to me again.
"No band rehearsal tonight?"
My heart dropped to my socks, "No Dad, not tonight."
Blindly I made it back to my room and closed the door. Immediately I seized my phone and texted the ladies, Jacob included, that I was indeed fine. Just relaxing for once and I would fill them all in later on everything.
I nodded satisfied and was just about to accept the inevitable and open my school bag, when I couldn't contain myself and flew to my desk for a long forgotten piece of paper and wrote down the following lyrics:
So over the summer something changed.
I started reading 17 and shaving my legs.
I studied Lolita religiously and I
Walked right into school and caught you staring at me.
I sat back and reread what I had written before and what I just added. It wasn't bad. My anthem was coming along very nicely. How was it going to end…I can't wait to find out.
Encouragements for tomorrow update are welcomed. Also, I would like to thank all my readers for sticking it out so far with me. I'm going to keep writing as long as you all keep reading. With Love~Paperairplanes