The days started to become easier to Alaina as she became more comfortable with her new surroundings and her new classmates. As much as her heart pulled her to Detroit, Forks was (begrudgingly so) becoming her home. Alaina and Bella were becoming very good friends as the time passed, making her time at school bearable.
Even Alaina's parents were finding their place in Forks. Her mother was a principal back in Detroit and had found it very hard to find somewhere to work in such a modest town. Since the area was so small and there weren't many schools, there weren't many job openings. But there was a small, part-time administrative role in one of the local elementary schools that was vacant, and she quickly applied for the job. Getting out of the house had been good for her and Alaina could tell how happy she was being around children once again.
Her father had always been a very hard worker, and when the interstate project came to Forks, he jumped at the chance to be one of the leaders. The project was going according to plan so far and he was starting to become close with the local workers, and surprisingly, Chief Charlie Swan. Her father had explained that because the project had "a lot of moving parts," the police crew had to be involved to make sure the roads that they were working on were properly blocked off. Alaina couldn't have been happier that her closest friend's dad was becoming friends with her own father.
Today at school, Mr. Molina was droning on about genetics and Punnett Squares, Mike was whispering to her about the weather, and Bella was awkwardly trying to flirt with Edward Cullen. Overall, a normal Thursday in Forks, Washington. Alaina was doodling absentmindedly, ignoring both Mike and the teacher. She didn't understand biology, and trying to focus was futile; she knew Bella would explain everything to her later when they studied together. A pang of jealousy shot through her she glanced up at Edward, who was staring at Bella intensely like no one else was in the room and nothing in his entire life mattered more than her.
Bella had told Alaina that he barely talks to her, but she didn't see the way that he watches her when he doesn't think she's looking. She didn't see his unblinking stare. And she definitely didn't see how he positioned himself to be as close to her as he possibly could. Her initial reaction of jealousy was replaced quickly by sadness. Alaina knew she was different than the other girls at Forks, and it was blindingly obvious just how different she was when she was with Bella. Bella was tiny in almost every way and effortlessly beautiful. It was no surprise that almost every guy in junior year tried to flirt with her every chance they had.
Alaina felt like the polar opposite of her friend: she was very tall and curvier than she would have liked. Since moving to Forks, Alaina had started to gain weight and it was beginning to show. The boys in her grade tended to leave her alone in the way that they bother Bella. The only guys who ever paid her much attention were Mike, who could have a conversation with a dead tree, and Emmett.
Alaina's mind began to involuntarily wonder to Emmett, and she became annoyed with herself for even bothering to let him into her thoughts. The only issue that Alaina was having at school (well, only issue besides her biology grade) was Emmett Cullen. She only had one class with him, but that was one class too many. From day one, Emmett was extremely cruel to her, picking on her in gym, from the way she played sports to the way that she completed the daily warm up. Every time she saw him, a pit of dread filled her body and there wasn't one day that went by without that she didn't fantasize about skipping P.E.
Her days went by more quickly than ever, and she couldn't believe that she was already stepping off of the bus, waving goodbye to Harry, and walking into her parent's home.
"Hey, honey!" Her mom said happily, hearing her close the door behind her. She sounded so much happier than she had been just a few weeks ago. Alaina was eternally grateful that her mom found that job to distract her from the court case that was looming in the court case. The mere thought of it caused Alaina's heart rate to increase and fear spread through her veins. It seemed as if her whole life was revolving around this secret. She knew she should tell Bella, but it just wasn't the right time. She wasn't ready just yet.
Alaina's days started blurring together as the monotony of high school seeped through her life. Her morning routine of English ("Hello Mrs, Crawford, hello Jasper, hello Jessica"), French, History, and psychology seemed to pass by in minutes instead of hours, and Alaina found herself walking to Biology with Bella, making small talk. They walked into the classroom and both of their eyes instinctively looked over to Bella's seat, but there was no Edward.
"Where is Edward?" Bella asked, her brow furrowed. It was impossible not to hear the disappointment in her voice.
"I saw him at lunch," she said as the two girls began to walk to their seats. "I'm sure he'll be here. He doesn't seem like the type to skip classes." She placed her books on her desk and sat down next to Mike, who Alaina was pleased to find in deep conversation with Tyler.
"Detroit," he said with a large smile, pushing Tyler off of his desk.
"Hi, Mike," she said in response. "Tyler, stay. Don't let Mike bully you."
Tyler laughed loudly, shoving Mike lightly into his seat. "Yeah, stop bullying me."
The two boys continued their conversation and Alaina laid her head on her desk, watching the students file into the room, and Bella was doing the same, no doubt waiting for Edward… but he never showed.
"Alright, everyone! One of my favorite days of the year is here!" Mr. Molina, said exactly, clapping his hands together at the front of the room.
"Summer break?" Mike said loudly, causing the class to erupt in laughter. Even Alaina couldn't help but hold back a grin.
"Not even your pathetic attempt at humor could derail me today, Mr. Newton," Mr. Molina responded happily, quieting the class down. "Today is our blood test experiment! You will be working with your lab partner to find out your blood types. If your partner isn't here, please join another group - you can't work alone on this one. Find your groups and have someone come up and grab the materials."
"Got it!" Mike said quickly, almost jumping out of his seat to run to the front of the room. "Bella, you're with us!"
Bella nodded and began to walk back towards Mike's table. Her face was drained of all color and Alaina looked at her friend in concern.
"Are you okay Bella?" She asked as Bella pulled up a chair next to her, placing her head in her hands.
"Yeah, I'm fine," she said quietly. "I just hate blood. The look of it, the smell… everything."
Mike bounded back to their desks and passed out the papers and the equipment. "So, it says here we just need to prick ourselves and the put a drop of blood on this…"
"I have to go," Bella interrupted, grabbing my arm. "Alaina, I'm going to faint."
"Let's get out of here," Alaina said instantly, helping Bella get out of her seat. Bella was right - blood did have a scent. The entire classroom smelled of copper and iron, and her stomach was beginning to feel queasy as well.
"Mr. Molina," Alaina said when they reached the front of the room. "Bella feels like she's going to faint."
Mr. Molina cautiously looked at the two girls. "Faint? Before you even begin the experiment? Ms. Pawlowska, your grade in here is dismal. If you don't learn your blood type -"
"It's AB negative. Can I take Bella to the nurse now before you have an unconscious student in your classroom?" She said impatiently, already beginning to lead Bella out of the classroom.
"Oh, alright," he said, dismissing them. "But if I find out you two didn't go to the nurse I'll-"
The rest of his lecture was drowned out by the slamming of the classroom door. "He is such a prick," Alaina said under her breath while they slowly walked down the hallway towards the school nurse. "How are you feeling?"
"Better," she said, color already starting to come back to her face. "Do you mind if we sit for a second?"
The two girls walked towards a bench outside of the gym. Bella sat down, leaned forward, and placed her head on her knees to try to stabilize herself. They sat there in a comfortable silence between the two of them, the only noise filling their air was the squeaking tennis shoes from the gym class next to them.
"Thank you," Bella said after a moment, sitting up. "I really appreciate you stopping everything to help me without even thinking. That really means a lot."
Alaina smiled and gave her a small, side hug. "You're my friend, Bella. That's what friends do. I'm just glad you're okay… who else would help me with my biology homework?"
Bella couldn't hold back her laugh. "That's very true."
"Alright, let's get you to the nurse," Alaina said, standing up. She reached out a hand to Bella, who gladly took it. The two began walking once again to the nurse when Alaina saw another student walking down the hallway. "Wait… is that Edward?"
"Alaina, Bella," the deep voice asked, coming closer. "Are you two okay?"
"Edward," Bella said breathlessly, grabbing my arm a little tighter. "Why aren't you in class?"
"It's healthy to skip class sometimes," he said, taking a step towards us. His golden eyes were filled with concern and they did not leave Bella.
"Bella almost fainted during our lab. I was just taking her to the nurse," Alaina said quietly, avoiding glancing at Edward. This was her first interaction with this Cullen and she was nervous that he would be as rude as his brother. Alaina was even surprised he knew her name.
"I can take her from here if you'd like," he said, his voice now warm. Alaina could feel his eyes on her and she glanced up to meet his. "Since I skipped class, it would give me something to do."
Alaina didn't want to leave her friend with him, but she knew Bella would kill for alone time with Edward. She gave her arm a quick squeeze and nodded. "Go for it."
Edward offered Bella his arm, which she quickly took, losing her balance. "Careful," he said deeply, steading her. Bella and Alaina made eye contact and Bella was trying hard to hold back her grin.
"Text me, okay?" Alaina said as she turned on her heel to walk back to biology. She could feel that Bella and Edward would soon be a couple, and although she was happy for Bella, she couldn't help but once again, feel desperately, painfully alone.