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Coming back to the high school over the weekend was positively dreadful. If people hadn't been staring at me the first day of school, they certainly were now.
It was a, surprisingly, sunny day so obviously the Cullen's wouldn't be here. I wonder what they would say as an excuse? Considering I had seen two on Saturday, most illnesses that were that strong would have to be ruled out.
But I was a little disappointed Alice wouldn't see my outfit today, considering she helped pick it out. I was in this knee length purple sparkly wrap dress with cap sleeves and a big brown belt holding at my waist. I also had matching brown boots that had a little heel to them as well. I had on his chunky onyx ring we had found at one of the stores that sold incense. Of course it was on top of black velvet gloves I had decided to wear, still going up far past my elbows. I had decided to put my hair in space buns. I had to google it because Ginny had mentioned it in her last letter. Apparently Luna had tried it out and loved it and was adept at keeping out nargles.
I had sent a letter to Ginny and Fleur, telling them of how Ron was stateside and I didn't know if he had returned yet. I had also explained exactly what he had said and done to me. Those letters got sent off yesterday so I should hopefully hear back soon.
If Ginny is anything like her mother, I'm sure it will be explosive. But it had to be done. I couldn't excuse his behavior anymore. None of us could.
"Dahlia!" I heard a yell from behind a crowd. It parted to show Jessica running towards me with Mike, Angela, and Eric trailing after her. She practically threw herself at me, and thankfully did not notice my flinch.
"Are you ok? My mom ran into Mrs. Anderson who told her she had called the cops about some rando at your house and then next thing she knows he's chasing you and beating you!" Jessica rambled, in near tears.
"Jessica deep breaths." I said, holding her firm, and allowing the others to surround us.
"Holy shit D your face!" Eric 'helpfully' added in, trying to come in close for a better look.
"Are you ok?" Angela asked, rubbing Jessica's back to help calm her down.
"When I find this guy-"
"You won't" I interrupted Mike. It did warm my heart at the care they all felt.
"He's probably long gone, back to England with his tail between his legs. I'm ok. And he didn't beat me Jess. He got one good and lucky punch that shattered my glasses on my face. And at one point I slammed hard into the ground. That's why it looks worse than it is." I explained to all of them.
"England?" Angela asked.
"What, do you have a psycho ex you forgot to mention?" Jessica snapped, but I knew it wasn't from a place of meanness.
"No psycho ex. A grieving friend, who made a big mistake in coming here and trying to bring me back to England." I explained further.
"We don't want you leaving D! I like you here." Mike all but pouted. I gave him a smile.
"Don't worry Mike. I like being here too. I'm not going anywhere any time soon." I said.
"Good. And your outfit is to die for by the way." Jessica said, changing the subject for herself with one last sniff. I struck a silly pose to help further the change.
"Thank you. Retail therapy always does a girl good." I joked, making them laugh.
Of course the questions and comments and looks didn't stop there. I had people who had never spoken to me before come up and ask how I was. Even Lauren was particularly quiet to me today. So there is a sensitive bone somewhere in her body.
In Algebra Jessica started passing me notes and it reminded me of when Ron and I used to. I missed it.
Are you sure you're ok Dahlia?
I truly am Jess. I promise. Believe it or not I've been through a lot worse.
Jesus don't say things like that.
It's the truth Jess! Don't stress about it. What did you do over the weekend?
My mom made me help her clean all weekend. Dad has some important people coming from his job and the house 'had to be perfect.' SO BORING!
That sucks. Thankfully I don't need to clean much at my house.
Well what did you do then? Besides recover!
Saturday I went shopping with Edward and Alice Cullen. They've become friends and wanted to help me with getting new glasses.
OH MY GOD! I am SO jealous! The Cullens are so exclusive and you went shopping with them! Ugh I can't even look Edward in the face after the first day. I tried asking him out in gym after I made the best shot playing volleyball and he turned me down. Ughhhhhh it was so embarassing! But compared to what he said to Lauren I got off lucky! How was it?
Honestly it was pretty chill. Biggest thing was getting new glasses. Although Edward recommended some music for me to listen to and it was really nice.
HES GIVING YOU MUSIC RECOMMENDATIONS! OH my god I need a boyfriend.
He's not my boyfriend though Jessica?
Well regardless I need a boyfriend. I can't go through all of high school without that! It's like one of the token experiences you have to have!
Token experience?
Oh my god shut up
Why don't you ask Mike if you want a boyfriend? He seems interested.
Oh my god D! I can't ask Mike. If anything Mike needs to ask me.
I thought I went to the traditional uptight school. It's 2004, you don't have to wait for him to make the first move.
"Is there anything you would like to share with the class Miss Stanley? Miss Black?" Mr. Baker spoke from the front, making us both jump. Jessica quickly crumpled the paper up.
"No Mr. Baker! Sorry." she said sheepishly, but the minute he turned around we both had to hide the laughter threatening to take over. Merlin being a normal teenager felt good.
The rest of the day passed by easily. It wasn't until lunch that I heard someone bring up the Cullens. And of course that someone was Jessica.
"Did you hear why the Cullen's aren't here you guys?" she said as she sat down at the table. I was munching on a carrot, waiting to hear the story.
"Apparently, since it hasn't been sunny since they got here, their dad took the day off, pulled them all out of school, and they went hiking." she dished.
Everyone was riveted to her every word. I was trying not to laugh like a loon. Merlin help them if it becomes sunnier in Forks. But for now, it seemed like a solid story, so I had to hand it to them. They must always go to dreary looking places.
"How did you even find out?" Eric whispered, as if the Cullens would appear right behind him.
"I overheard Ms Harper in the office when I had to drop something off for Mr. Anderson." Jessica said with a nod and proud look on her face.
"A new move is stressful. Probably just wanted to do something nice for his family." I said, to help sell their story. Not that they would ever know. But it brought me a little amusement.
"Ugh why do you have to be so reasonable?" Jessica groaned, but I knew she was teasing.
The rest of the day passed smoothly enough. And when I got home it was still, thankfully, untouched.
It was about ten minutes after I had showered and changed that my fireplace flourished awake with green fire.
Ginny must have gotten my letter.
"That utter prat! Merlin help him when he gets home! Mom is absolutely livid!"
"Hi to you too Ginny," I said, walking over and sitting myself on the floor. Her floating head gasped when she saw my face.
"Dahlia you made it sound so much better than it looks! He couldn't have done that with only one punch!" Ginny said, shocked.
"I was wearing my now shattered glasses you had given me. They didn't survive the blow and a lot of it pierced my skin. Plus a fall to particularly hard ground didn't help matters. But I'm fine now. New glasses and everything." I said, waving a hand in front of my face.
"They're super cute! Who picked them out for you? Because I know you couldn't have found those on your own." Ginny questioned.
"Thanks," I said dryly.
"Dahlia!" she whined and I finally gave in.
"My friend Alice picked them out. And then her brother Edward paid for them behind my back." I grumbled.
"Alice and Edward? They wouldn't happen to be the same Alice and Edward Cullen you mentioned before right? The vampires?" Ginny asked, a growing horror on her face.
My silence was all the answer she needed.
"Dahlia! Merlin you don't do anything by halves do you?" she said, rubbing a hand to her face.
"I can't help it, Gin. Alice is such a lovely person. And Edward's… he's Edward" I finished, unsure of how to put it into words.
"Dahlia. Are you...do you have feelings for Edward?" Ginny asked. I didn't answer her for a few moments.
"I'm not sure." I said quietly. Thankfully she was being serious with me now.
"I've never felt the same way around anyone before. And it's so...comfortable. I don't have my guard up like I should. And the way he looks at me Gin...I don't know if it's in my head, but...I don't know." I rambled on, rubbing my own face now.
"Look I get it. You never really got to be much of a teenager like the rest of us Dahlia. And a muggle vampire honestly isn't the worst thing to date. I trust you. Just promise me you'll be careful." she said. I nodded my head.
"I promise." I swore with a smile.
We chatted about more things. How the school year was going on at Hogwarts. The rumors of where I had disappeared to. The rumor of me running off to join the circus and becoming a one armed acrobat was particularly amusing. Hermione had been ignoring everyone apparently, despite being Head Girl and was close to losing the position. Ron had elected to not rejoin the year and now we knew why. He hadn't been seen by any of them either. It left me a little worried. But I knew that I could take Ron. I was being nice before, hesitating because he was my friend. Obviously he didn't hold the same reservations. Now neither would I.
It was nearly sun down by the time we had finished talking and it left me feeling a little lighter.
Ginny had raised some further points about Edward. And some of them scared me. If I did have feelings for him, how would that work? I mean witches and wizards aged slower so that would be ok, but would he want me to turn? Would I want to turn?
I'm acting like I will end up with him. But would that be so bad? Would a life with Edward be all that bad? Merlin, how would he take to finding out I was a witch? Or missing an arm? But my magic had never interacted with anyone like it did with him. That had to mean something. Right? Magic was a part of me and it called to him.
I shook the gloomy thoughts threatening to take over and made myself some dinner before snuggling on my couch and turning on the telly. No homework meant a relaxing night for me.
I had gotten a good hour in when there was a knock on my door.
"Coming!" I announced,quickly putting on my gloves and padding over in my slippers. I opened the door revealing-
"Edward!" I said, a little bit of shock on my face. There he was, looking perfect and handsome as usual. It truly was unfair, he never didn't look good.
"Sorry I didn't call," he said, a chagrin look on her face.
"No, it's ok. Come in." I said, letting him through the doorway.
He slowly walked in, looking around, taking it all in. It was like he was studying my home. I closed and locked the door as he looked around.
"How was the hiking?" I asked cheekily. He turned to me with a note of confusion on his face before he realized what I was talking about.
"Good. Yeah Carlisle surprised us all this morning." he explained with an easy going smile.
"That's really sweet of him. It's obvious how much he cares for you all." I said sincerely, walking forward and turning off the television.
"Why come visit me though?" I asked, turning back to him.
For a split second I could see just how confused he was of whatever was going on inside of his head. Could he be questioning if he had feelings for me too?
"I wanted to see you," he finally said. He almost looked scared that I would take it the wrong way. But I couldn't and the pleased smile on my face must have shown that because he relaxed after.
He must be so frustrated that he can't read my mind. I could honestly feel one day that I would be ready to reveal my thoughts to him. But today wasn't that day, not yet.
"Well I missed you in school today. Everyone and their mother was coming up asking me about the artwork on my face.`` I joked, moving to the kitchen to fix myself a cup of tea. He followed after me quite quickly.
"I'm sorry." he apologized, looking quite put out.
"I'm joking Edward. I'm a big girl. Believe me I've dealt with far worse." I said, getting the water on the stove to boil.
He stayed silent. Long enough for me to get the water to boil and pour into my cup, tea already in a strainer.
"Want a cuppa? Still got some hot water." I asked, although I already knew the answer before he shook his head. He looked like he had a lot on his mind. I took the strainer out after it was ready and put it in the sink. Going towards the living room I noticed Edward wasn't following me.
Wordlessly, I took his hand in mine and he looked down like he had been electrocuted. My magic was fluttering again, but I still pulled him gently into the living room and had him sit on the sofa. I sat on the other end and took a quick sip of my tea before I set it down.
"You're never this quiet with me. What's on your mind?" I asked, settling on my side, legs pulled into me. I must have looked comical.
I had put my hair back in the space buns, quite liking the look if I was being honest. I was in fleece pajama pants that were pink and purple with a matching pink cotton shirt and fuzzy white slippers. I think Fleur got these for me too, especially liking them when she first got pregnant. My velvet gloves from earlier didn't match at all but I wasn't worried about matching. I never really worried about too much with Edward, at least not things like that.
"I had Carlisle ask the Chief...about your...friend. They still haven't apprehended him." he said. I could see the anger in his eyes. I set my tea down before reaching out and squeezing his knee.
"Edward. I'm not some damsel in distress. It's not like they have given up searching for him. I already let his family know what had happened and they are on the alert. His sister is absolutely fuming, ready to beat him into the next century. Plus, in case you forgot, I live across the street from Charlie. There is no way Ron will get the drop on me again." I explained, leaning back. He had a smirk on his face.
"Out of all the ways I could describe you, 'damsel in distress' wouldn't be one of them," he admitted. It made me laugh.
"Then don't worry about me. But feel free to describe me in great detail." I joked, pushing him with my foot.
"You are probably the most astounding person I have ever met." he said, suddenly serious. It made my breath hitch.
"I've never met someone so open and yet know so little about them. I feel drawn to you everytime you walk in the room. Like a moth to a flame. Enchanting. It's like I can never take my eyes off of you or you'll vanish. You care so much and give so much of yourself to everyone you meet. Even me, even when I don't deserve it." he said.
"What makes you think you don't deserve it?" I asked, feeling very raw and not sure if I wanted him to continue about me.
He looked like he was in pain.
"I'm not a good person Dah-" "Says who?" I interrupted, ready to defend him, even from himself which was the most likely case.
"I've done things. Things that other people haven't. I'm not good as a friend" he said, looking down at himself. I didn't know if my next words would be taken well. But I needed to comfort him, to soothe him, it was like my very core was telling me too.
"If you aren't a good person Edward, then I'm doomed" I said, pulling my arms closer to my chest. I looked out the window because I couldn't bear the stare he was giving me.
"What are you talking about?" he asked, even sounding angry.
"I've done things too. Things I'm not proud of. Things that haunt me in my sleep. And yeah my friends back home tell me it's what I had to do, to survive Avalon's Fall, but it doesn't make me feel any better. Doesn't change the fact I still did it." I said, hugging into myself tighter.
"Avalon's Fall?" he asked quietly a few moments later.
"What we called our school being attacked. In the beginning of the year. The terrorists had decided Avalon was to be their next target. They bombed the school, in the middle of the year. You did what you had to...to get out alive. Not everyone did." I explained, slowly going into a soft whisper by the end as the flashes of the battle started going through my mind.
A very cold hand on my ankle made me jump out of my skin but he didn't let me go until I faced him.
"That's the thing Dahlia. You said it yourself. You did, whatever you did, to survive. There is nothing you could do that would ever make me believe you are a bad person." he said very passionately.
"Same could be said for you." I countered. He didn't look like he wanted to believe me, but he did seem to relax and sit back as he let go of my ankle. My magic weeped at the loss of contact.
"This is shaping up to be quite the month isn't it?" I attempted to joke, trying to make myself get lighter in mood.
"It amazes me. The sense of calm you have over everything." Edward said. I shrugged my shoulders.
"Some things are simply outside of my control. You adapt when needed ``I explained.
"Do you want to see what Ron was like before?" I asked. He looked up sharply. I gave a sad smile as I got up and walked over to my mantle. I picked up one of the frames and went to turn but almost jumped when I realized Edward was right behind me.
I handed him the frame and he gently took it out of my hands. It was a red frame, housing me, Hermione, and Ron. It was taken in our 6th year by Colin. We were in our uniforms, sitting outside under a tree. Ron had his arm around me like he always did. Hermione was leaning against me on the other side. We were laughing and happy.
I miss those friends.
"We were so close. They even used to call us the Golden Trio. We did everything together. But after the attack...Ron lost one of his brothers. And spiraled. He piled so much on Hermione too that they both just kind of tried dragging me down with them. But I wanted to heal. I wanted to grieve and be able to do something about all the horror I had seen and move past it. Not wallow. That's why I left. They still expected so much from me, when I needed to focus on myself. Finish school. Finish healing." I explained softly.
"I can see how close you were. I'm sorry your friend has lost his way." he said, sounding far older than his physical age suggested. Like the vampire he was.
"A lot of people lost their way. Even me. Being here in Forks with...everyone...it's probably the happiest I've been in a long time." I said, trying desperately to hide my blush. I had almost said 'with you.'
Quite frankly, I don't think I can deny that I have feelings for him. It was obvious even for me. Hopefully it wasn't terribly obvious for him. Mind reader or not.
"I'm glad," he murmured, putting the photo back on the mantle for me. I didn't realize how close he had come to me. It made the height and size difference all the more apparent. I was positively tiny compared to him. Compared to Emmett I would probably be a pixie.
Slowly I reached out and took Edward's hand again with my right. He didn't shy away, it was probably the firmest he had ever held my hand back. Not that we hadn't done it much up until recently.
"Doesn't the cold bother you?" he asked. I shook my head.
"I've always run warm. So the cold feels nice. Keeps me balanced ``I explained softly. The magic in witches and wizards, when they were particularly powerful, often made them more warm than others. The magic felt like it was burning under my skin sometimes.
"I noticed that. The warmth." he murmured back. He slowly started rubbing a thumb against my hand.
Despite the cold, I never felt hotter. I felt like I was burning. And I wanted his hand to hold mine. Really hold it.
Without a word, I slowly reached my left hand to my right. He let go of the hand only to watch me pull off the glove on my right hand, exposing my skin. Even slower, I wrapped my hand back around his. It felt better than I imagined. I could tell he had stopped pretending to breathe. The cold was almost a different kind of burn on my skin. It made me want to reveal more, to feel the cold on every part of my body.
It all became too much. I felt like my magic was ready to explode. So, making the decision, I took the steps back,backing up into the fireplace, but it snapped us both back to reality. I didn't realize I was out of breath until then. I didn't register Edward looking down at my wrist, covered in bruises, until it was too late.
"I'll see you in school" Edward said, before practically fleeing out of my house. It was barely the speed of a normal human, but I doubt either one of us cared. My magic was calling out to him. Begging me to bring him back. To put my lips on his.
Merlin. I had fallen completely for Edward.