Some things are Unavoidable
Bella's POV
I groaned when I woke up the next morning. The light in my room was brighter than it should be. It was sunny. Edward had already left. Alice had warned the sun would make an appearance often today so the Cullen's wouldn't be at school. I debated whether or not to skip, but decided on going in the end.
The loud roar of my truck startled me when it started. I was slightly disappointed in myself. I appreciated it more in the book than I seemed to now. I hope it doesn't hurt Charlie's feelings.
School seemed foreign on my own. It felt like the first day again. Some students ignored me, some stared and others whispered as I passed them towards my classes. I expected this. It wasn't too bad, just annoying. I decided I would spend lunch outside by the benches or in my truck. My plans soon changed when I walked into trig.
Jessica had been trying to talk me into being friends, visiting and having lunch at her table from the first day. I guessed she already knew the Cullen's were not at school today.
"Hi Bella, great day huh" she greeted with an overly cheery voice
"Yea, sure" I took my seat next to hers and tried to keep busy searching through my bag.
"I mean,like you must be so happy it's sunny. Don't you miss Phoenix?"
"Sometimes; Forks' not so bad." I shrugged. I did miss the sun but I missed Edward more
"Really? I can't wait to go to college somewhere sunny. At least the Cullens take advantage of the warm weather whenever it makes an appearance. They've gone camping haven't they?" She got to the point quicker than I expected
"Yeah" I was saved when class started but only for long.
"Come sit with us today. You can meet Eric and Tyler. He's been wanting to apologize for the accident since." I followed dragging my feet and hoped this was not where Tyler decides to make it up to me by taking me to prom.
More eyes turned to us when I stood in line with Jessica. The lunch lady gave me a strange look when I paid. I realized that was because she didn't know me. The Cullens always got lunch and I eat off their trays. I watched as more people came to sit at Jessica's table. Mike, Eric, Tyler and Ben joined us. Lauren, Angela and two other girls from my government class were there too. Everyone talked at the same time about different things. It felt like normal. I didn't fit in. Angela stole glances at Ben, Lauren at Tyler.
"So Bella, how's the Cullen house? I hear you've been there and it's like a mansion" Lauren started
"It's alright" I shrugged "They're a big family" I gave as an excuse for the size of house
"And rich! I mean some people only want to be friends with them because of that." She looked straight at me when she said this, silencing the table.
"I guess so, if that sort of thing is important to make friends." I replied with a straight face
"Did you really drive the Volvo the other day?" Eric
"Yeah, I didn't have my truck" I didn't think anyone saw that. 'Small town!'
"But you like ride with Edward everyday so you don't ever have your truck" Jessica emphasised Edward's name to signify some hidden meaning
"They're weird – perfect looks, perfect grades – and they don't talk to anyone. Sometimes they're just plain freaky." Mike piped in
"They talk to me." I defended
"I wonder why" Lauren scoffed, I ignored her
"Yeah, it's strange. They don't talk to anyone else but you and you've seen their house. We've known them longer." Jessica whined
"Are you sure about that?" I challenged, making her eyes pop out their sockets in interest
"You knew them before you came here?" Tyler. I didn't know whether I preferred his interest in the Cullen family or continous apologies for the accident.
"Yes" I confirmed. No need to tell them that was from a book.
"From where – how?" Jessica.
"Guys stop asking Bella questions. I think it's nice she's friends with them. No one wants to be." Angela came to my rescue. I gave her a grateful smile
"Yea, because they're freaks" Mike
"Are you normal Mike?" I snapped and left the table.
Lunch was almost over anyway so I headed to Biology II. Mike insisted on walking me to gym and having me on his team. He caught up with me after class when school let out.
"Uh Bella, so I was thinking maybe you'd like to join us for a movie tomorrow. Angela will be there." he added
"Thanks, but I can't. School night"
"Maybe next time then," he pressed. I hummed noncommitally and drove home.
"Hi" Edward was lying on my bed waiting when I got there
"Hello, how was your day?" He asked
"Trying; I sat at Jessica's table during lunch and entered the Cullen quiz."
"Sorry, I think you handled yourself well"
"Were you there?"
"Yes, in the cover of the trees. Did you know how many boys at this school are smitten with you?" He teased
"I have a fairly good idea, but I only care about one in particular"
"Who? I don't necessarily count as a boy" he smirked
"No, you don't. So maybe you should stop missing school so you can finish one of these days. All your peers are long gone now." it was my turn to smirk at the look on his face.
"Peter and Charlotte are leaving tomorrow." he informed
"I'll come with you say my goodbyes. It was nice meeting them"
"They're quite taken with you too."
We spent the afternoon lazily on my bed. He stayed with me while I cooked dinner and left before Charlie arrived. There was no sun the next morning when I woke. The Cullens attended school and Edward was irritable.
He walked me to my classes as usual. I sat with the family at lunch. He started touching me more at school, holding my hand and brushing my hair. I realized he was marking his territory somehow. It must have been for the boys at school.
We drove to the Cullen's to see Peter and Charlotte off. Both promised to visit again soon.
"Hey; look out for Mary, Randall and Garrett. They're also nomads - good nomads" I blurted without thought. No filter!1
All nine vampires had eyes locked on me. I did not know why I had said that. Peter cocked his head to the side studying my red face.
"You will take some getting used to; just like Jasper's Alice." He spoke slowly as if deep in thought.
"Bella?" Edward asked from behind me
"Uh…of course you don't want to mention me to them. I-I don't know why I said that. The words just came out." I explained poorly
"It's alright Bella, we're used to strange when it comes to the Cullen clan." Charlotte patted my hand assuringly.
"Thanks" I mumbled "Uh...Makenna and Charles too" I added. It felt like I needed to say this but didn't understand why.
"We have met Garrett and Mary before." Peter informed. "We'll keep an eye out for the others. Any special messages to deliver?"
"No-no, nothing. Please, they cannot know about me because of the rules."
"Of course" He agreed.
When they had disappeared into the forest, Alice turned on me.
"What was that about?"
"I don't know Alice, honestly. They were all mentioned in the books and helped us."
"In the same book you read the other day?" Edward asked
"No, in the fourth book."
"Bella, this is confusing us a little" Carlisle spoke gently. "Are we going past the fourth book already?" he asked
"No Carlisle, the first."
"When does the fourth book happen?" Rosalie
"Next year, August to December"
"The…?" Edward trailed off
"Yes"
"Oh" Alice gasped and started clapping excitedly. Everyone but Edward and I looked at her for an explanation.
"It's not for me to tell" she refused to speak.
"Bella?" Esme
"Edward and I married August of the following year in the book" I didn't feel any worry sharing this
"Oh, that's nice, It would be great to have a wedding in the family again."
"Were the nomads at the wedding Bella?" Carlisle asked
"No. They were with us when the family faced danger"
"I see" He trailed off thoughtfully.
"I'm sorry I cannot tell more, not yet. I was telling the truth. I have no idea why I felt compelled to say those things to Peter and Charlotte" I begged for understanding.
Carlisle nodded, and Esme too beside had been leaning against the far wall listening to us.
"She's telling the truth" he informed.
"I must bring this to your attention Bella, since it affects all of us. We believe the things you say and are happy to have you a part of our family. You have made my brother very happy these past few days. I didn't even know he was capable of feeling the way he does about you.
But the family is also curious about the books. That curiosity is unsettling when you give bits of information without context. Right now, Edward and Rosalie are frustrated. Carlisle and Esme are accepting. Alice is put out that she cannot see anything. I'm not saying this to upset anyone, simply to bring to your attention that the feelings in the room have the potential to grow out of control." He finished, still leaning casually against the wall.
"I undersatnd, and I'm sorry"
I really did understand. I invaded their lives and their home. I knew things about their future I could not tell; dangers they would face I couldn't prepare them for. And Edward, he was the one I felt the worst about keeping things from.
"We'll try to be understanding and patient Bella" Esme
"We should go, Charlie will be home shortly." Edward advised.
I said my goodbyes to the Cullens and went home. The car ride was silent. I was thinking about what Jasper said, afraid to open conversation with Edward.
"I'll come back tonight" He announced when we reached my driveway
"Okay" I left the car and ran to the door. I turned to see that Edward was not following or driving off. He sat in the car watching me.
"You can let them read the manuscript Edward." I whispered before entering the house.
The most pressing thing on my mind was to go find how Charles and Makenna had helped us against the Volturi. The names were hazily familiar. I didn't read the whole book; just found their names to learn the answer. I put it back to its hiding place under the loose floor board beneath my bed.
Edward didn't come back until I had fallen asleep that night. He lay next to me and held me tight. We didn't talk.