:::ToTW:::
Monday morning dawned and as usual it was raining and cloudy, this was nothing new to Abby. She'd been acclimating herself to this weather since her arrival in Forks. Bella was used to heat, sun and arid air. Her mood was mirroring the weather outside. Gloomy.
It didn't help that her hair, which Abby was sure was an actual horses tail that had been woven into her scalp, was frizzing all over the place. Watching her cousin fight with the monstrosity on top of her head, she walked over to her, and seizing the brush, tossed it to the counter.
"You're just making it worse." She chided.
"How could it get much worse!"
"If you keep snatching that brush through it, you'll find out."
With deft hands, she took Bella's hair and had it twisted into a long braid leaving whisping tendrils framing her face. Satisfied, she stepped back taking a long look at the finished product. The horrified "wtf" look she had on her face was not lost on Bella.
"What?" She whined pitifully.
"Bella, honey, is that a bowling shirt? Please tell me you are not wearing a bowling shirt. A hideous puke green bowling shirt."
Bella looked at her attire and shrugged, biting her lower lip between her teeth. With a slight pop, she released her lip, "it's comfortable?" She tried to reason.
"So are my tank top and yoga pants, but I'm not wearing them to school. And you sure as shit are not wearing that shirt." Holding her hand out, she waited for Bella to shed the offending garment.
Rummaging through her closet, Abby found her seriously lacking in the style department. Did this girl own anything other than shirts that were obviously a size too big? Continuing her hunt, she found gold. In the back of the closet were several scoop necked boyfriend t-shirts. Snagging them in her grasp, she backpedaled her way to the room, noticing more of the same bowling type shirts on her way out. She made a vow to herself to do away with those.
She tossed a charcoal grey top to her while collecting the previously worn garment from the bed. Holding it up for Bella to see, she shook it at her slightly, "no more bowling shirts." For all her effort to ensure her cousin was not the laughing stock on her first day at a new school, she received an eye roll.
Bella pulled the top on, leaving it untucked, much to Abby's relief. She donned her brown/green Teva De La Vina low boots that her mother had given her for her birthday. Why Renee thought she needed boots in Arizona was beyond Bella, but she was thankful for them now.
Abby twirled her finger in the air. With another eye roll and a sigh, Bella turned slowly for her cousin.
"Do I pass inspection ma'am?" She snarkily inquired.
"Yep. I love the boots." Abby nodded.
Grabbing their backpacks they made their way to the kitchen, where Charlie was sitting at the table, drinking coffee and reading the paper.
Looking over his paper, he nodded and complimented them, "lookin' good girls. Get some breakfast and we'll get on the road."
As Charlie pulled into the school parking lot, Bella took a look around at the older model cars lining the lot. Her eyes were quickly drawn to two vehicles that were sticking out like sore thumbs. A red BMW and a Volvo. She fleetingly wondered who would drive cars like that in a town where the median income was roughly thirty-four thousand dollars a year. Abby was quick to clue in where she was looking.
"The Cullens'. Rosalie drives the Beemer. Edward the Volvo."
Bella snorted in derision, "nothing like rubbing your money in the faces of the working class, right?"
Charlie chuckled as he stopped at the steps to the school. "Abby, you going to show her to the office, or do I need to?"
"Dad, I'm sure I'll be fine. I'm not six, you know." Bella growled as she exited the passenger side opening the back door of the police cruiser, allowing Abby to unload.
Chief Swan looked around looking for any signs of vampires or wolves, shaking his head at the fairy tale his life had become. Rolling the window down, he called to the girls, reminding them he would pick them up after classes. He grinned as the two girls each lifted a hand in the air, waving him on. Checking his mirrors, he pulled away from the school and drove to the station.
The Swan girls made quite an impression as they walked down the hall, heads bent toward one another, talking animatedly. At the office, they retrieved Bella's schedule, Abby perused it quickly, not wanting to be late to her first class. She was relieved that they had at least a few together. Grabbing Bella's arm, she pulled her from the office and led her to the first of the classes they shared.
She waited for Bella to get her seating assignment, holding in her smile. Abby was pleased to see her take the vacant seat in front of her. She waited for it. It wasn't long in coming. She laughed maniacally under her breath when she saw Bella jump in her chair.
Mrs. Lowe.
After class, Bella reached over and pinched Abby on the arm, "you bitch!" She snarled, "you could have given a girl some warning." The girls laughed as Abby rubbed the sting out of her arm.
"I could have, but you would have missed out on a rite of passage of being the new kid."
"I'm pretty sure I would have survived." Bella deadpanned.
Turning the corner they were accosted by the dark haired pixie. She was smaller than Abby but seemed to hold more exuberance in her small frame than either Bella or Abby had collectively. They watched as the bouncing midget clapped her hands in glee.
"Oh, I'm so glad you are finally here! We share the next class, I'd be glad to show you the way." She gushed.
Bella looked to Abby who had a horrified look on her face. Looking back to the keebler elf, Bella realized that this was one of the Cullen's. She took ahold of Abby's hand, not sure what to do. They each felt a slight vibration, before remembering what happened last time they held hands. Quickly, they released each other and stepped away a little. This did not go unnoticed by the one in front of them.
"Are you okay?" She asked them quietly and with concern.
"Fine as frog hair." Abby replied, taking Bella's arm, leading her around the vampire and to her next class.
She left Bella to her own devices as she headed to her next class. Suffering through trig then science, she met up with Bella for lunch. They sat with the same people Abby sat with on her first day. Introductions were made and conversations picked up around them.
Abby asked how the class with Cullen went.
"Which one? Alice or Edward?"
"You've got classes with both of them?" Abby hissed, looking at the table where said subjects of conversation were sitting, not eating.
"Yeah. Alice in English/Lit and Edward in Biology."
"Dammit. I don't like it. Hell, right now, he's looking at you like you are something to eat or some bullshit."
Hearing that, Bella glanced over her shoulder. Abby was right. He was intently looking at her. She admitted to herself that is was a little unsettling. Huffing, she turned forward and took a notebook out and penned a note to Abby.
Do you think one of the wolves is watching?
Nodding, Abby looked out the window, toward the tree line. She saw the pasty ones follow her gaze and noticed them bristle slightly, causing her to smile.
:::ToTW:::
Alice Cullen was waiting for the new arrival. She had been waiting for this day for what seemed like forever. Her visions had changed, yet she refused to give up on Bella becoming a friend. When the girls rounded the corner, she couldn't contain her happiness. Bella looked different. Her first vision of their meeting, had her wearing a green shirt over a long sleeve shirt and her hair wildly flowing down her shoulders, held back with a small headband.
Looking at her, she thought her cousin must have taken over her grooming. This saddened Alice somewhat. She was going to use that excuse to take Bella shopping. Finding this was no longer an issue, she had to think of something else to use to befriend her.
She had never, in her immortal existence, tried to make friends with a human, but she wanted that with Bella. She had seen them being close friends, almost like sisters, before her visions changed upon Abigail's arrival. With the witch's appearance, the role of sister had vanished. Nothing changed the outcome in any of Alice's visions, no matter what circumstances she envisioned.
Refusing to let it deter her, she stayed on the path she chose to make Bella her first human friend. Imagining the fun the two of them would have. The possibilities were endless. They could have slumber parties, watch movies, shop for clothes and shoes, and just hang out. She just needed to put some space between the cousins.
Greeting Bella, she watched mystified as an electrical charge passed through the girls when they clasped hands. Inquiring as to their well being, she was a little put out when Abigail brushed off her concern and led Bella away. Giving herself a mental shake, she turned and made her way to class.
She was ecstatic when Bella was assigned to the vacant seat next to her. She smiled, taking precautions to keep her sharp teeth covered, and introduced herself properly. Extending her hand, she spoke, "hi, I'm Alice Cullen."
Bella warily shook her hand, "Bella."
"Nice to meet you. Formally." She laughed a tinkling laugh.
"Yeah, you too." Bella said before turning her attention to the front of the class. With all hopes of a tete-a-tete during class dashed, Alice shrugged slightly, looking to the teacher for the days lesson.
Scanning the immediate future, Alice gasped. She couldn't believe the lesson plan was to analyze the ancient Greek drama, Prometheus Bound.
:::ToTW:::
I was dumbfounded by the gall of the spike haired sprite. This Alice person was acting as if we were devoted friends, or some such shit. Not happening, because one, she's a damn vampire, which in and of itself was a serious red flag. Two, the chick needed to be on a high dose of ritalin. I contemplated what it would be like if the dwarfpire were on the opposite spectrum of the Methylphenidate indicator. Instead of being ADHD, she would be narcoleptic. That might be easier for me to handle. One minute awake, next minute, BLAM, Alice's head hits the table and she's out like a light.
Hearing Alice's sharp gasp, I focused on the teacher standing in front of the class.
Oh, this is too good. Thank you Greek Gods. How sweet is this? I was having difficulty maintaining my composure, anticipating the opportunity to discuss the drama.
Please, I begged internally, please call on me. Eyeing the teacher, I almost peed my pants when she called my name.
"Isabella, in your own words, please tell us why Prometheus was punished by Zeus and follow up with how Prometheus would be classified in today's society. Also, it would be wonderful if you could recite a paragraph, either in your own words or that of the author."
Awesomeballs!
I stood, blank-faced and began my oration.
"Prometheus was punished by Zeus for giving mankind fire so they could have heat and light. In my opinion, Prometheus, today would be classified as either bipolar or schizophrenic, due to the embellishment of his prophetic abilities, which he twisted for his benefit. I would guess that during the time of Prometheus, this affliction would be considered split personality disorder."
"As for a paragraph, I'll start with the second sentence, where Zeus declared he would not allow Prometheus to give fire to man." I cleared my throat and began what would be my most brilliant use of quotation to date.
"Not one spark will I share with them! For if men had fire they might become strong and wise like us, and after a while they would drive us out of our kingdom. besides, fire is a dangerous tool and they are too poor and ignorant to be trusted with it. It is better that we on Mount Olympus rule the world without threat so all can be happy."
I returned to my seat and whispered to my neighbor, "bet you wish Prometheus would have heeded Zeus' warning, don't you?"
The bitch was left fuck stunned.
With that thought, came the realization that Abby was a very bad influence on my language. Oh well, you only live once.
I wasn't bothered by the chipmonk cruncher for the rest of the class.
:::ToTW:::
After English Literature, I made my way slowly to Biology. It was like salmon swimming upstream. Whoever designed the school layout was either blind or high. Even I knew you could not jam three hundred teenagers with raging hormones in a six foot wide hallway with classes spaced 5 foot apart and lockers lining that much needed 5 foot span.
I walked in Biology, handed my paperwork to the teacher and waited for the seating assignment. Of course it would be next to the other dead one.
Sighing, I made my way to the appointed seat and dropped my bag next to me. I sat as far away from him as possible.
"What you said to my sister was not very nice." He stated softly.
He appeared to be legit, so I countered with "and what you did to my cousin was criminal, you dick."
I hazarded a glance and saw that he had been properly chastised.
Winning!
Personally, I could care less what the layers of an onion are, but, decided it was in my best interest to play the teachers game. Slides were handed out and microscopes were put to use. All we had to do was identify the phases of the onion skin. Identify. No where in the instructions did the teacher say "make small talk with your partner."
"Perhaps we should start over." He suggested. "Hello, I'm Edward Cullen. You're Bella?" His voice like silk.
"Yep, that's me."
"How do you like living in Forks?" He inquired.
"Why?"
"I'm just making polite conversation. It's what people do." Speaking to me as if I were a child.
"What, you can't read my mind?" Yeah boy, I know your game, and I'm not playing.
"I wondered if you knew about our family. Secrecy is overrated apparently, and no, I can't." He smiled beatifically at me.
I watched as he tilted his head to the side, I guessed he was listening to another conversation somewhere. Freak. Sitting up, he decided to chance addressing me once more.
"Alice says Charlie has been called out of town. He's going to leave a message in the office for you and your cousin. If you'd like we can give you a ride home."
I could not believe the balls these two had. Did he think we would get in a car with either of them willingly? Not only were they members of the undead pose, they were hard core crack smokers.
"No thanks."
"Bella, it's raining outside. You could catch a cold or someone could lose control of their car and hit you." He stressed.
I was flummoxed. At this point I was all WWAD. Then thought maybe that would not be a good idea. Abby would have already pulverized his ass with a wave of her hand, Charlie be damned.
Turning abruptly to him I began to explain how I felt.
"Look Edward, is it?" At his nod, I continued, "first, I'm quite capable of making my way home. I won't be alone, so don't even go there. Second, neither you nor your sister," making air quotes with my hands, "have any reason to be scanning my future. Might I suggest you focus your attention elsewhere, lest my over protective wolf decides to take a bite out of your ass!"
Shut him down.
When the bell rang ending the class, I hauled ass to lunch, where I'd thankfully meet up with Abby.
This day could not end soon enough for me.
:::ToTW:::
When Bella pulled out paper and pen, I knew things had not gone well.
Do you think one of the wolves is watching?
I nodded yes and looked to the tree line, noticing the undead following my gaze. I didn't really know if there was a wolf out there or not, but I was playing it safe.
Alice told Edward that Charlie was called out of town. He offered to take me home.
That manipulative fucker.
He freaked me out.
I patted her on the back and pulled my phone out. Holding it under the table, I sent a quick text to Charlie. Within minutes, I had my answer. I looked at Bella and said, "damn."
I typed a message to Paul and waited for his answer. It was getting close to the end of the lunch period and I had not heard back from him.
"Try texting Quil. See if he can meet us after school or something. I don't really like the feeling I'm getting."
Nodding, she pulled her phone out and sent the text. Within seconds, she had an answer. Typing a reply, she put the phone back in her pocket, saying "he said someone will be waiting for us after school."
The bell rang signaling the end of the lunch period. We were separated for one more class. Study hall and P.E. we would have together. I just had to get through this next class with Edward.
He began speaking as soon as my ass hit the chair.
"Abigail, I apologize for the the other day."
I held my hand up to stop him.
"Don't talk to me. Don't talk to Bella. Don't try to read our minds."
"I understand you may be put out with me, but, please, accept my apology at least." He looked at me with glazed golden eyes.
"No, I won't accept your apology. You knew what you were doing." I shot at him.
"I'm sorry you feel that way. I will refrain from having frivolous conversation with you, but you cannot dictate my interaction with Bella."
This asshat. I was waiting for the opportunity to do this, I thought, as I plugged my earphones into my cell, leaving one end hanging from my front pocket, I quickly keyed up my playlist and returned my phone to my pocket. The volume was just loud enough for him to hear, I hoped.
I mentally gave Old Quil a fist bump when I saw him stiffen and heard him growl lowly under his breath, imagining what he was hearing.
Shine bright like a diamond. Shine bright like a diamond. Find light in the beautiful sea, I choose to be happy. You and I, you and I, we're like diamonds in the sky…
The rest of the class passed without a word from wonderboy.
After P.E., Bella and I quickly made our way to our lockers, swapping books and dashing out the door. We didn't even take the time to change from our gym clothes.
I was expecting Paul or Quil to be waiting for us. That was not to be. Jake and Leah were leaning against a Volkswagen Rabbit that had to have been made before any of us were born. It was old. But, considering he had wheels and we didn't, he was one up on us.
We quickly piled in the back of the car and waited for the two shifters to join us. They wanted to have a stare down with the crypt keepers.
Bella began snapping her fingers at them, saying, "hey, you guys? Can we go already?"
Our hairy entourage finally got in the car, which in my opinion was no small feat. Damn if they didn't look like clowns at a circus in a volkswagen. Ha! I crack myself up.
Jake sped from the parking lot and headed to our house, where he informed us, he and Leah would be staying until Charlie came home. Leah took this opportunity to look at the two of us crammed in the back and tell us that they were hungry. Bella and I exchanged a look.
"Uhhh." I began.
"It's okay. We talked to Charlie. Just do your thing Abby." She ordered.
Alrighty then.
"Where's Quil?" Bella asked.
"Patrol."
I checked my phone and saw Paul still had not answered my text. "What about Paul?"
Silence was my answer.
"Jake? Leah?" I questioned.
"I think he was doing something for Sam." Jake rushed to answer.
"Oh." I felt my heart drop a little. He couldn't send a quick text to let me know?
Pulling in front of the house, we all stopped and watched as Edward, in his Volvo, crept past.
Damn. Stalker much?
Jake and Leah ushered us inside and quickly searched the house, Leah yelling from the attic that she was moving in with us. When they were done, they rejoined us in the kitchen, where with a wave of my hand, food appeared.
"Sweet!" Jake exclaimed before digging in.
I sat and watched Bella nibble while Jake and Leah ate like they were starving hostages. My God, where do they put all that? I wondered. Bella noticed I wasn't eating, and brought everyone's attention to me.
"Why aren't you eating?"
I shrugged uncomfortably, "not really hungry."
Jake and Leah shared a look.
"You should really try to eat something Abby." Leah coaxed.
"Maybe later. I think I'm going upstairs and start on my homework."
They watched as I made my way to the attic, none of them saying anything.
I dropped to my bed and looked at my phone again. Still no word from Paul. I didn't want to say anything to Bella, but I sent him three texts since lunch. He hasn't answered any of them.
:::ToTW:::
Sam was waiting for Paul at the house that he shared with Emily. He had gotten word from Billy that his daughter Rachel was home for a visit. Billy needed someone to keep her occupied and preferably out of the way of the wolves, witches and vampires.
He should have had Embry handle it since he was the only unmated wolf, but for some reason he couldn't understand, he was angry at Paul and wanted to punish him. He would have him watch over Rachel twenty-four seven, making sure he didn't have time for Abigail.
When Paul arrived and Sam told him Rachel was his responsibility, Paul flipped out. They argued and punches were thrown, before they both tumbled out the back door and phased. The fight continued until Sam had him pinned, Paul's throat held tightly in his big jaws.
Paul had no choice but to submit.
When they phased back, they couldn't remember what they were fighting about. Walking into the house, they saw Emily opening the front door. She welcomed Rachel into the house and reintroduced her to Sam and Paul. It seemed almost comical as they had grown up together on the small reservation.
The four of them sat, talked, ate, and laughed until early morning, when they said their goodbyes. Paul walked Rachel to her car, making sure she made it down the drive to the main road before phasing and going home.
His wolf was wound up for some reason. It was like he wanted to run to Forks, but Paul, the man, wanted to go home and just go to sleep before patrol in a couple of hours. Winning the battle, Paul arrived at his house and dropped in his bed. He was sleeping soundly in no time.
Thoughts of his imprint never entered his mind.
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