Edward
I dragged my feet into social studies class, and sank into a chair in the back, dropping my rucksack at my feet with a sigh. With none of my closest friends in this course, and the teacher's droning frequency that my mind consistently tuned out, this was by far my least favorite class to attend.
I scrubbed my eyes with the heels of my hands and wondered idly if I'd be able to get away with taking a quick nap. I decided against it, something told me I'd need to stay awake today. I sipped my McCafe with my eyes closed, sighing afterwards. Just an hour. You can stay awake for one hour. You can do this.
The classroom slowly began to fill with students and with more students, a buzz of noises filled the air. Pens scratching against paper, the girls that conveniently decided to gossip beside my table.
"Did you hear? There's a new student joining us?" Jessica Stanley was loud enough to be giving a sermon, she was so tasteless; I struggled to not roll my eyes.
"I hear she has an eating disorder."
"Really? Someone else told me they thought they saw her in a magazine."
"What kind of magazine?" A girl exclaimed. I didn't need to hear the reply to know the type, not by the way the girls couldn't hold back their giggles.
Geez. Emmet and Jasper make fun of me for not having a relationship since middle school, but can you blame me? The dating pool here istrash. If only...
I resisted the urge to think of her, and took a long sip of my coffee instead, trying to distract myself with the caramel flavoring within the bitter coffee flavor. Man I don't even like coffee.
The teacher began as usual, with "settle downs" that were dismissed the first few times.
"We have a new student joining us today and we expect that you will all make her feel welcome. This is Isabella Swan." What a name. Almost sounds made up.
Then she walked in, and I nearly spat out my coffee as my mind grasped who this was, and then the significance of it.
It was her.
The girl from my dreams.
My heart seemed to palpitate in my chest and my hands went icy.
She stared at us through expressionless eyes, but with an intensity in her gaze that silenced us immediately.
I'd never heard the entire class this quiet, this interested in anything, a pencil rolled off of a desk somewhere and made a thunderous clicking sound as it ricocheted.
"Thanks for having me." She murmured so quietly. Her voice had an unwavering clarity hidden in the undertone despite the feminine pitch. She had picked her words carefully, choosing words that would not give hints as to her personality. I craved to hear her quiet, yet reverberating voice again.
Even mr. Garcia didn't know what to say to that. After some hesitation on his end, he broke the silence.
"You may choose any open seat available. There's one here in the front, if you like—" She cut him off immediately.
"I'll take that one in the back. Thanks." She murmured and began to take quiet steps down the split of desks. I looked around as everyone else did, wondering who would be the lucky person sitting beside the new girl.
When most of the eyes landed near me, it was then that I realized. The empty seat was beside me, to my left hand side. I gripped my desk and realized I wasn't breathing as I surveyed her as quickly I could without staring. I kept my hands folded on my desk innocently as I did.
Surprisingly she wore no makeup unlike the girls surrounding her, yet her bare faced features were sharp. Ethereal, even. She didn't need makeup. Her eyes were dark, like shiny black buttons set in her delicate face, set with a fringe of dark eyelashes.
Her nose was straight, slightly upturned and her mouth parted in a soft Cupid's bow. Though she had no color in her face, she had porcelain skin and overall very balanced and aesthetically pleasing gestures.
How dare these girls that tried to cheapen this poor girl's painfully obvious natural beauty. It occurred to me that the gossip they would try to spread in the wind would die before it could even begin to set flight.
She dropped in her seat at the empty desk beside me, and I saw her figure slowly relax with a soft sigh I suspected no one else heard. Her mahogany hair fell like a thick divide between the two of us, and it shielded her face from view. She sat on the far edge of her seat, craning away from me. Huh. Do I smell?
I subtly leaned over towards my shoulder to smell my armpit. Nope. I still smelled like my favorite old spice deodorant. My heart was pounding as I took a deep breath.
"Hello," I started. Smooth. Wow, Edward. How will she not fall for that. She turned to me, her dark eyes surprised, and... scared? I tried to sound as convincing and as confient as I usually did. God knows I needed it. "I'm Edward. It's nice to meet you." She cocked her head in a way that suggested confusion but nodded her head chastely anyway.
"Nice to meet you." she said matter of factly. Her eyes despite its warm, autumnal coloring were ice cold.
"You, too." I said. Well what else was I to say to that. "What school did you come from before this?"
"You wouldn't have heard of it. It's small. Private." Huh. All I wondered was where her home was.
"Do you go by Isabella?" I whispered conversationally, as the teacher's droning began.
"I'm sorry, do I know you from somewhere?" She snapped pointedly. For the first time, she turned and looked at me. Really looked at me. I was startled. Her eyes were pitch black, onyx, and I couldn't see a trace of her pupils. I tried not to focus on them but I felt intrigued by their familiarity.
Yeah, actually! You're in my dreams on a nightly basis and I've wondered who you are for a month now— "Perhaps not. But you look very familiar to me."
With a slight shake to her head, she dismissively opened her textbook and her large eyes began scanning the page. I took another cautious breath before I spoke.
"I was wondering—" Ssssh! I was interrupted by the person a row ahead of me, someone who was genuinely here to learn. I scowled at them but I didn't let that stop me. I wrote a note to her on a piece of folder paper, and pushed it towards her. I hope she didn't hate me already.
I know it's not easy to be new, anywhere. It wasn't for me. May I at least help you with your schedule—I can walk you to your next class?
That was a reasonable ask, right? I think my mom at least would've commended that. She looked down at it for only a moment. Her face was void of any expression I could see. She wrote two words swiftly before pushing the paper back to me.
Her handwriting was a small, tight scrawl. I took interest in analyzing her handwriting. A serious, cynical person from the looks of the sharp edges in her writing and her small font size. Could she be an old soul? Like me? I wondered hopefully.
I'm fine.
I did not hesitate to scribble down a guess anyway.
Biology next?
I saw her look down at the note then crumple it in her fist. Okay. Message received. The next half hour was painfully awkward. The tension was palpable and unlike anything I'd ever felt before. I imagined every other way I could've handled our introduction. I cursed myself for being so forward, so desperate. But I had to know, what this girl from my dreams was like. I couldn't be blamed for my natural curiosity right?
Isabella had her hair between us, and it worked as effectively as a brick wall would. Nothing could permeate the shield of her thick mane. The moment the bell rang, she slammed her book closed, tossed her rucksack over her shoulder, and left the classroom swiftly before the bell finished ringing. I was one of the last to leave, so sorely disappointed with myself, my behavior, maybe even her. Or what I built her up to be in my mind.
"Cullen. Could you bring this to the office for me?" Mr. Garcia snapped me of my reverie, holding out a thick stack of printer paper. "I know, big ask, but last one to leave here gets the rotten egg." He flashed me a sympathetic sort of smile. Had he seen my rejection too? Flustered, I took the stack from him with a feverish nod. "It's not a problem Mr. Garcia. I'll drop it off immediately."
I contemplated Isabella Swan's rather strange behavior on my walk to the office. "Thanks for having me." "Nice to meet you." "I'm fine," "do I know you from somewhere?" Something about her words were throwing me off. I couldn't be upset that she had no interest in me. But her words were too cordial, almost robotic. It was as if she purposely didn't say a word to give away her identity. She became upset after all, when you tried to pry about her schedule...
My god Edward. You're losing it. You're just jealous she didn't want anything to do with you. I reached up with a free hand to open ghe office door.
Before the door even fully opened, I could hear the sharp voice speaking.
"Is there anything I can do to switch courses? I'm willing to take an advanced placement class. Please." I had opened the door. And I was a second too late to run. Isabella whirled, as if I'd whistled at her. Upon seeing my face, she sped up her short lived interaction and instantly hushed, "Never mind. Thanks for your help." She stared past me as if I didn't exist and stalked in the opposite direction away from me.
How had I ruined it with someone I'd been so sure of a connection with, so quickly? I set down the package on the counter.
"Mrs. Cope," I nodded my greeting to her, solemnly, despite the sinking in my chest. Then I had a devious plan in mind. I turned back to the elderly receptionist. "Pardon me, Mrs. Cope, I believe Isabella forgot to mention. I'll be guiding her around the school later today. Do you think I could receive a copy of her schedule to create an ideal tour for her?" I flashed a convincing smile at her. Mrs. Cope looked flustered as she began typing on the dinosaur of the office desktop.
"Ah, yes of course Edward. Forgive me, I had no idea. I mean, I should've assumed, given you are the class president." I waved a hand at her.
"No harm, no foul ma'am." I heard the subtle whirring of a printer in the background, as Mrs. Cope turned around. She handed me a piece of paper, warm from the printer, or from my excitement. "Here is Isabella's schedule. Could you tell her that her parent needs to fill out an address for her? We must've missed it when she registered." I couldn't help my genuine grin.
"Not a problem Mrs. Cope. Thanks for your help." I walked away with a huge grin. Thank you very much, indeed.
Bella
It only took a quick hack into Forks' High's administrative desktop for me to register myself as a new student, a senior at Forks High School. I hunched over after pulling a fire alarm to distract the admin and security away. I quickly typed away generic information, creating a fake birthday and even added a fake transcript on for good measure. I pushed "submit" and anxiously waited.
An error appeared on the screen:
"Name of student must be input"
Shit, how had I forgotten? The fire alarm's siren rang distractingly in my ear but I knew I didn't have time to waste. Let's see what I can come up with...
I glanced around, noted the desk I sat at had an ID left haphazardly on the table. Isabelle Mary Dickinson. I scrambled quickly for a variant on the name, and typed in Isabella Marie in the first name column. I noted Ms. Dickinson's mousepad was of a flock of swans on a lake. With a hint of irony, I typed in, Isabella Swan. Hope that doesn't sound too made up.
I hit send and waited anxiously for the computer to respond.
"Student added." The printer whirred to print me my schedule and I finally let out a sigh of relief.
This was the perfect hiding place to blend in, to play my role as a simply anxious teenager instead of the wanted fugitive I really was. It was a small town but the population was large enough to hide me. I think. I hope. I knew I wasn't safe, but I knew this was a logical place to start.
The schedule printed, and the fire alarm's siren was turned off. Right in time. I scrambled out of the office and looked for the nearest lost and found, where I managed to find various pieces of uniforms. I wasted no time in finding a skirt and button up blouse before I scurried away.
Thank god this school isn't wealthy enough for security cameras.
An hour later, I took a deep breath outside of the social studies classroom, waiting for the teacher to introduce me first. I straightened the uniform I'd changed into as best as I could, but I knew it was wrinkled. This was the least of my concerns; but I worried about catching the eyes of the staff with my unkempt appearance.
I'd been running for 3 days, and I knew that Demetri usually caught any "runners" within the first few hours, if not the first 24 hours. Considering I had no memory of the actual escape itself, the execution felt almost suspiciously easy, and paranoia surrounded me. I wondered if they had eyes that were watching me now, around the school.
I took in a deep breath and blew one out.
Just be a normal teenager. I chanted in my head. Just walk in and say something cordial, keep your head down. Watch out for anyone that stares for more than a minute--VOLT could've placed spies in the classroom.
It could be a trap. I shook my head of my biggest fear, trying to calm my anxiety with positive thoughts.
You can do this.
You're better than they believe you to be.
This is your only chance at survival. Make it count.
I vaguely heard my new name being called from within the classroom, and I took one final breath, trying to quell my nerves. I stepped into class, ready to act like a new student. My confidence was torn in half as soon as I stepped in front of the students. I had but stepped into a scent that was as thick as a brick wall. It made my mouth flood with venom and I was so confused at my body's immediate reaction--this only happened when I was changed, and when I sensed prey. I wasn't even close to changing. I looked down at my hands.
Any claws? Nope. Still normal fingers and very much human.
What is going on with me?
I breathed in once and my head spun from this dizzying scent. What was I smelling? Was it edible food? I scanned the classroom, there was no food to be seen.
I gulped. If this scent wasn't edible food, and my mouth was filling with venom, I knew what I was smelling was much worse. Bloodlust. I considered the flavor that lingered in the air for only a moment.
Apple? Something so sweet, so fragrant. Could it be considered floral? In the religion lesson I'd been taught by a priest, the story of temptation within Adam and Eve resonated with me for the first time.
"You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die. '
Except in this instance, I was within a garden of children, and if I came too close to whoever's this scent belonged to, they would die.
The forbidden fruit from the story must've smelt like this... a scent so heady, so thick it was unavoidable. My head reeled from it, and for a split second I wondered in a moment of weakness, how quickly I could locate it while taking out every student in the classroom.
You will destroy anything you touch.
Aro's mocking voice echoed in my head, along with the memory of his deep set eyes pierced into mind. That was all I the motivation I needed to remember. I wasn't a killer. I could control myself. I could do this.
I considered finding the source of the smell, to avoid its general direction, but it was maddening to try, that would mean I was open to fully exposing myself to it, by smelling it. I opted for holding my breath instead. Do not call attention to yourself. This is the only place you can hide.
I noted the teacher had gestured towards me, for an introduction. I was careful to keep my face nonchalant and body language neutral.
"Thanks for having me." I heard myself utter, without breathing. When the teacher asked where I'd like to sit, I replied without hesitation. I'll sit in the back. No attention here. If Demetri were to break in through the doors mid-class, I'd still have a chance to jump out of the windows to escape. If I lost control, god forbid it wouldn't be in a classroom full of teenagers.
I focused on the ground, on taking even steps without thinking twice about the scent in the air. When I sank into my seat, two things hit me: one, after days of running, of hiding, I was relieved to be off of my feet. Two, the source of the scent was right beside me.
In a silly attempt of prevention, I pushed my hair forth to block my view from whoever's blood was calling to me. The less distractions the better.
"Hello," a friendly voice called out to me from the other side of my hair in barely above a murmur. His voice was a little deeper than I expected from a high schooler, but not in a way that resembled Aro's dark drawl. It was lighter, open. Lively. If not for the ridiculous scent he produced, I might've even admitted his voice was inviting.
I lifted my head only slightly and made eye contact with light green eyes. Had I not been so bloodthirsty, I might've been surprised by their unusual hue. His expression was excitable, almost childlike in his eagerness to speak to me. Had I not wanted to flay his throat, I might've found it charming.
Pulse pulse.
I could feel his pulse in ridiculously strong and warm flashes of warmth that permeated the right hand side of body. It felt as if a UV lamp was pointed directly at me and turned on and off in tandem with his heartbeats. The rhythm of his pulse was perhaps too fast compared to the average person. I peered behind my hair at his desk and noticed a tall cup of coffee on his table. Caffeine does have that effect. I reminded myself, but I was still concerned. Was this person nervous because he was trying to take me out?
The boy with the green eyes spoke again.
"I'm Edward." Ugh this was the last thing I needed right now. Please don't talk to me.
I was so hungry for the mouthwatering smell of his blood that I thought I'd go mad. It was so sweet, it smelled like nothing I'd ever smelled before. I needed food soon. Flesh or edible food. Both of them. Anything. Something. My god I've never been so unstable in my human state.
"Nice to meet you." I said as quietly as I could. I kept my eyes on the ground, disinterested, hoping to dismiss him once and for all with my tone--I didn't want to use any more oxygen than necessary to speak to him.
"You too," so-called Edward said so genuinely I began to wonder if he had mistaken me for someone else. Feeling too exposed, I was ready to slink back into my curtain of hair, when he continued the conversation: "What school did you come from before this?" Well shit. What school did you come from, Bella? School of vampires and lab rats? Volt academies for half breeds? No, I know... the preparatory school for ghouls. I tried to keep my mind as amused as I could, so I wouldn't consider laying a finger on this boy. He didn't deserve it.
"You wouldn't have heard of it. It's small." I said as dismissively as I could manage, with the last of my oxygen. "Private." I added quickly. That had to convince him right?" I sucked in a small breath, and it scored my throat like fire; I wondered if he could visibly see the pain it was causing me.
"Do you go by Isabella?" At this point I was losing my patience. I was hoping he would take the hint, and that for his own safety, he didn't speak to me. That maybe I didn't want to speak to anyone. That I didn't want him to know about me. I just wanted to mind my business and hide from a laboratory full of people hunting me down. Is that too much to ask?
"I'm sorry," I hissed without a hint of remorse. "Do I know you from somewhere? I finally snapped, turning to face him. I glared at him, so angry with the world for putting this talking obstacle in my way in my one chance at survival.
But when I looked at Edward, all of him, he reminded me of something I'd seen as a child, probably from a movie. Despite the thick, heady fragrance he was omitting, and his desperate need to speak to me, he was not an unattractive person at all. In fact, far from it.
My eyes told me he was 6'1, 190 pounds. He had a lithe structure but had visible strength in his body already, his collared uniform shirt fit tighter around his chest. His sleeves were casually rolled up to the elbows, and from what I could see of forearms, he looked strong, as if he could put up a fight. At least for a little while. That concerned me in my current state of weakness, so I kept my eyes trained on his and my body tense, ready for any sudden movements. If you are a scientist from VOLT, you'll be sorry.
I saw his hand move and I braced myself but he had only awkwardly combed a hand through his wild hair. He had the most unusual colored hair, neither red nor strawberry blonde but a bronze color. Maybe a light copper was the right description. Expressive eyebrows matched the eyes that were wide with embarrassment. His irises looked jade in this lighting and contrasted with his cheeks, now flushed pink from embarrassment. What an oddly memorable face.
"Perhaps not," he conceded softly. "But you look very familiar to me." His eyes kept searching mine, as if he were certain we'd met before. I shook my head as I turned away again. Believe me, you'd remember if we'd met before. You'd be dead. I opened my textbook to the page number I heard the teacher utter and struggled to focus on the words he was saying in his lecture. Edward tried again, to make conversation but thankfully, someone had shushed him before he began.
A note was pushed onto my desk from my right hand side, and I opened it reluctantly. When I did, the smell of his skin seemed to waftoff of the paper. I held my breath, trying not to let the starvation consume me.
His handwriting was a neat cursive, and looked old fashioned. I read his note quickly, and found myself wondering why someone who was so clearly wealthy, extroverted and relatable to others was so invested in speaking to me.
I'm fine.
I wrote back. I pushed it onto his desk keeping as much distance between us as I could. I watched him crouch over his desk, writing his answer immediately as he read mine.
Biology next?
I flipped back to my schedule and realized with horror that he was right. I groaned mentally. Of course we had biology together. He'll be dead by noon if I don't control myself. That thought made me so angry, I crushed the note in my fist.
I was simply trying to pass by unnoticed, to get by. And this innocent boy had to stand in my way, and possibly ruin my composure. This would ultimately lead to exposing me. For the life of me, I couldn't understand why I could even smell him like this, without being changed
I cautiously took in a breath, and my throat felt as if it were on fire. It made my eyes water. But I knew I could do it. I knew I was better then this monster they made me out to be.
I made a mental note to visit the office as soon as this class ended, to beg for a different class. I couldn't be anywhere near this boy, for his sake. I refused to hurt him.
I caught his reaction from my peripheral vision. His eyes widened in shock, or was it hurt? And he clamped his mouth shut as if to purposefully remind himself that he were not to speak to me. I snuck a glance at him between class. I knew my actions and words were very intentionally said to ensure I stayed on my path of ambiguity. But I did feel a little sorry for this boy who was just eager to be kind.
I hoped one day I'd be seen as good as him in someone else's eyes, if I didn't ruin my own progress first, that is.