Chapter 3 – New Territorial
I didn't think I would ever get out of the cafeteria, and it took Jake hoisting me up and tossing me over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes to actually accomplish it. I'd barely gotten to finish eating, because I had so many people trying to talk to me, James being the most persistent. It was as if no one had ever met me before, and then suddenly, everyone wanted to talk to me, and they really wanted to hear what I had to say in response. It was weird to say the least.
Jake settled me on his hip like a toddler and didn't put me on my feet again until we'd reached our lockers to grab our books. He had chemistry right across the hall from my biology class, and he went practically skipping into the classroom behind Vanessa, as I made my way into the biology lab.
Mr. Baker handed me a packet of papers as I came in. He then pointed me towards one of the big square tables, where I would be sitting for the next year with three other classmates. I hated assigned seating, but at least it skipped the awkward exercise of having to choose someone to work with. I'd gotten stuck with Mike Newton last year in biology, and I'd spent an entire semester barely tolerating his presence and being tormented by him, because we'd been the only ones left who hadn't been chosen as partners. Everyone else had pared off, leaving us standing there glaring at each other, neither one happy with our forced choice. I guessed he'd wanted someone pretty, and I'd wanted someone with at least half a brain.
Speaking of the devil. I had managed to avoid laying eyes on him all day, and as I stood up from fishing my notebook from my backpack, whose eyes should I find staring at my butt like he had found Nirvana other than Mike Newton himself. I straightened up and turned around, watching as his eyes traveled slowly up my body, stopping to linger at my chest, until our eyes finally met.
"No freakin' way," he mumbled under his breath, and his mouth dropped open as he stared at me, wiping drool from his chin. I smiled sweetly at him and giggled. He said it again, "No freakin' way!"
"You're right, Mike," I said and winked at him. I found my spot and climbed onto my lab stool, completely ignoring his staring at me from then on. He was right. There was no freakin' way he was getting anywhere near me or anything from me. Of this, I was quite certain, and determined.
"Finally!" someone said loudly next to me, as a backpack landed soundly in the middle of the table. "I've been trying to talk to you all day. It looks like my luck is changing!"
I looked up to see James taking the stool next to me, grinning as if he had already passed the class. Edward and Rosalie came in then, and Rose sat down across from me. Edward shot a searing glare at James, who had laid his arm across the back of my stool and was leaning into me when Edward stopped him.
"You're in the wrong seat, Fairbanks. Move it," Edward growled at him.
"I don't think so, Masen. Mr. Baker pointed at this table, and I was here first. Enjoy sitting next to the ice princess over there." James turned back towards me, but he suddenly found himself sprawled on the floor.
"Stay away from my sister, Fairbanks, or I'll have a little chat with the coaches about your extracurricular activities with the co-captain of the cheer squad. I'm sure they'd be interested in what you get up to after games on the bus back to campus," Edward hissed at him. James stood up and brushed himself off, and then he sat down next to Rosalie on the opposite side of the table. James glared at Edward, who was looking at me, before raising an eyebrow.
"Sister, huh? Right, Masen, I get it. No problem." James looked between us and laughed. My mouth was hanging open, and I was staring at Edward in total disbelief. He had never called me anything before that wasn't derogatory, and it even seemed like he'd had a hard time calling me his "sister" just now, but I would take it. It felt weird, but whatever. Edward was weird, so I guessed it fit.
I tried to remember the last time Edward had actually said anything to me before today, and it had to have been last year around Christmastime when we had last exchanged any real words. He was always in his room when I was around, or out on a date. The only time we had interacted with each other was over the piano. Until I'd gotten my keyboard, it had been a battle between us for practice time. Elliott had finally made up a schedule, so we would quit arguing all the time. Once I'd gotten my own piano, however, I'd left him to the old upright. Mine was top-of-the-line and had a grand piano setting, so I was much happier, anyway. After that, we hardly ever saw each other around the house, outside of the occasional forced family meal. Even then, he never spoke to me, just stared in his creepy way that he tried to hide, but I always caught him.
Biology was tense, and I was glad when it was over. Edward bolted out of his seat, and Rose looked at me, rolling her eyes and shaking her head. "You really know how to clear a room, don't you?" I just looked at her and shrugged.
I hurried out to stop at my locker, barely containing my building excitement. The last class of the day was finally here, and I couldn't wait. Performing Arts promised to be a great elective class, filled with people having performance talents of all kinds. If it involved entertaining, and you could pass the acceptance interview, you were in. The new teacher for the class, Mr. Adam Anderson, was a brand-new teacher and very young, only twenty-three, and he was very handsome and easy going. During my interview, he'd told me there were only a few girls who had tried out for the class, and he was glad I had piano and guitar talents to offer. We had hit it off immediately, and I was certain he was destined to become my favorite teacher.
As I went to enter the classroom, I suddenly found myself side by side with Edward, both of us trying to get through the door at the same time. "Excuse me," he said quietly and backed up, allowing me to enter ahead of him. I smiled at him, and for the first time I could remember, Edward smiled back at me. I stood frozen for a moment, staring at him in disbelief, as did he. We were shuffled out of the way by other students trying to get into the room, as the teacher urged everyone to come in and find a seat. I had been looking forward to this class all day, so I grabbed a seat in the front center of the room. James came in last, and I wondered what talent he had in order to get in here. I didn't know he even had any talents besides on the football field or under the bleachers. He grinned at me, as he took the seat right behind me.
Once everyone was settled, Mr. Anderson had us briefly introduce ourselves. There were only twenty people in the class, all of whom were singers or musicians. "Unfortunately, we didn't have anyone from the drama department sign up to join us this year," Mr. Anderson lamented. "Probably because the dance and theatre classes have a trip to Disneyland planned in the spring at the same time our class is doing our final event. Go figure," he laughed. "So, that leaves all of you filling in this year with any acting and dancing for our events." The collective groan heard around the room was somber. None of us had signed up to dance or act, just sing or play.
"I'm just kidding, ladies and gentlemen, I've revamped our program to keep it strictly music-related, and after you hear what the theme for this year is, I hope you'll change your tune." Mr. Anderson thought for a second about what he'd said and then burst out laughing at his inadvertent pun. "I crack myself up sometimes," he muttered to himself.
As Mr. Anderson turned to dig through his briefcase, I suddenly felt eyes on me. I glanced around and noticed Edward staring at me, along with Trevor, Oliver, Brad, and a few other guys I recognized from my other classes. I could even feel James behind me staring, and I was sure I'd felt his fingers playing with one of my ringlets. My first instinct was to swing my hair over my shoulders and lean forward, essentially hiding myself. However, I picked my hair up and let it slowly cascade behind the back of my chair, as I leaned back and relaxed, reaching my arms up over my head in a huge back-arching stretch before dropping them and swinging them gently at my sides. I hid my grin, as the groans sounded around me. This was just too funny.
When I looked up, Mr. Anderson was also staring at me. He quickly snapped out of his gaze and continued. "Okay, folks, here's our agenda for the year," he began, as he passed around the class syllabus. "This year's theme is 'Caring has a Voice.' We're going to be doing a series of fundraising events to benefit several different public service organizations in our community. We'll be doing performances to benefit the Humane Society, The Greater Portland Food Bank, Toys for Tots during the holidays, plus a few small good-will visits to some local nursing homes. Then, after the first of the year, we'll be doing a fundraiser for the Portland Lighthouse for the Blind around Easter, ending with our gala formal ball benefiting the Portland Children's Advocacy Center. If you have friends or family who'd like to be involved, by all means, please have them join us, as we'll need all the help we can get. I assessed each of you at your interview and have great confidence that we're going to do some amazing performances this year. We have a really talented group here, and I believe you all will work very well together."
I was grinning from ear to ear and practically bouncing in my seat, which Mr. Anderson noticed, shooting me a huge grin in return. However, I listened incredulously, as everyone around me began groaning again and complaining about how much work would be required in the class. It seemed as if some people had thought it would be an easy blowoff class or something. It actually sounded like a lot of fun to me. Mr. Anderson glared around the room at all the whiners and slammed the papers in his hand down on the desk, getting everyone's attention.
"If there's anyone in here who'd rather do something less worthwhile to finish out your high school career, by all means, see your counselors immediately for a schedule update. I need people who are committed to serving their community and making a difference in someone else's life for a change." He packed up his briefcase and stalked toward the door. "I'll see those of you who give a crap tomorrow. The rest of you, good luck with your personal mediocrity," he growled, as he slammed the door behind him.
We all sat there in stunned silence for a few minutes before anyone moved. School wasn't out, but apparently, Mr. Anderson was done for the day. I gathered my things, excited about tomorrow, and headed for the door.
I was certain this was going to be my favorite class.
School didn't end for another forty-five minutes, so I decided to wait in Sir MANSLUT for the rest of the SHAGNICs to get out. Since I had driven this morning, I would need to drop everyone off. I grabbed my English text and the old woven blanket that was folded over the back of the seat and then jumped into the bed of the truck. I unfolded the blanket and spread it out over the cab, before I climbed up and lay down on my stomach, my knees bent, ankles crossed, to read the homework that had been assigned today. It was really a beautiful day, and the early fall sun was warm and felt good on my back and hair. I was totally engrossed in Shakespeare when I heard someone clearing their throat. I looked down to see Edward standing beside my truck.
"So, are you bailing out of that lame class?" he asked. I glanced around to see who else he might have been talking to, seeing no one else in the vicinity. I looked back at him wide-eyed, still amazed he was speaking to me.
"No, it sounded like lots of fun, actually," I said quietly. "I think it'll be a good experience. Are you bailing out?"
"I was thinking about it. I'm pretty busy already outside of classes," he muttered. I couldn't help but roll my eyes at him.
"I'm sure. Wouldn't want you missing out on any hot dates due to a rehearsal or anything," I drawled sarcastically, smirking down at him with my chin on my crossed arms. "All those desperate cheerleaders wouldn't be able to make it without you at their disposal to help them with their exercises. Elliott and mom will be so proud of your dedication to such worthy endeavors," I winked at him before returning to my book. I could have sworn he was cursing, as he stalked off towards his car.
I heard voices and laughter coming from the school after a while, as the rest of the classes were dismissed. Emmett and James walked by, and before Emmett could stop him, James had jumped up into the bed of the truck and had scooped me into his arms, making me squeal and flail from being startled. "Well, if this isn't the cutest hood ornament I've ever seen. Do you know where I could get one of these for myself?" he asked.
He sat me up on the edge of the low cab, and I was lost in his deep blue eyes, as he nudged between my knees and wrapped his arms around my waist. No one had ever touched me this way before, and I was at a loss for what to do. My body wanted to squeeze closer to his and have his hands continue running up and down my sides, while I kissed him like I'd seen other girls do.
But my brain reminded me where that same handsome face I was looking at now had been, on every willing girl in school, and I really needed to back away now before I ended up in the same category as them. Fortunately, I didn't have to decide anything, because Edward was suddenly there, jerking him off me and shoving him down into the bed of the truck.
"I warned you, Fairbanks, stay away from my sister before I have to do something you'll most definitely regret!" Edward spat at him.
James picked himself up and then jumped down out of the back of the truck, just looking up at Edward and shaking his head, but then an understanding smile crossed his face.
"You keep calling her your sister, Masen, but everything you've done today tells me she's anything but to you. You used to hate her, dude, so what's changed? Judging from your nasty comments and the dirty looks you've always given her for the past five years, I'm surprised you haven't already begged me to haul her off for you before now. And I'd be happy to do it, too. She's the hottest girl in this whole school now. What's gotten into you, dude? Feeling a little incestuous these days?"
Emmett grabbed James by the scruff of his neck and hauled him away before Edward could beat him to a pulp. Edward was still standing there in the bed of the truck, panting and trembling from anger. His face looked as if he was about to pop a vein, so I hopped down from the cab top and did something I'd never done before. I hugged Edward. Since the day of our parents' wedding, I had carefully avoided any kind of personal contact with Edward, because I knew how much he had loathed me from the moment we had met. But when my arms went around his waist, the feelings that rocketed through my body as his arms returned my embrace almost knocked me back.
We released each other quickly, and I muttered a quiet thank you for the rescue. He nodded and looked away before he jumped down and sprinted for his car. I was not sure why he had still been here, or what had just happened between us, but I knew it could never happen again.