Thank you to all who followed, favorited and Reviewed. Your support means a lot...
Normalcy was never a goal in my life. Stability? Yes. But Normalcy? No.
In fact I don't think the word "Normal" even properly describes the Human Race. People are born Individuals. What is considered to be "normal" for some is not for others. There is nobody who leads or has the exact same life or the exact same experiences.
That said, "I do believe in the word "Usually," because similar stuff can and does happen to people and yes quiet often, they might react the same but for different reasons. Some only known to themselves.
As I walked into the cafeteria, I saw that the lunch period, like the school was also filled with people from different grades and different walks of life depending on their schedules. Never one to bud in on others conversations, I looked for an empty space and to my luck, I actually found one.
A whole table really. Nobody was sitting there, and all the other ones were filled. Was there something about this particular one? I didn't see an out of order sign.
So, I simply walked over and sat down with my bag and tray. On it was a small slice of pizza and an apple with a water bottle that I got from the vending machines. I was going to try this food, and if it tasted bad? I was definitely bringing a sandwich tomorrow. Okay… enough planning ahead, this was Lunchtime. That meant Break time, I didn't have to focus on anything "high school" related for the next twenty minutes.
Rummaging through the second big zipper on my backpack. I found what I was looking for: Harry Potter. Roughly thirty seconds later I was chewing on my apple and completely submerged in the world of Hogwarts as the Goblet of Fire announced its chosen Champions. "And finally, the Hogwarts Champion is…Cedric Diggory!"
"Excuse me?" I heard a polite female voice call out, breaking my concentration.
Looking up I saw the faces of five extremely pale people with butterscotch eyes looking down at me. Two of them I definitely recognized to be Emmett and Rosalie (who looked none too happy since this morning.) But she wasn't the girl who spoke but rather the other short one with the Pixie haircut.
"Yes?" I asked uncertainly.
"You are in our seat" Rosalie hissed.
"Rosalie! Don't be rude," scolded the other girl, "There's plenty of seats. I'm sure Holly wouldn't mind sharing the table, would you Holly?"
Wow this girl was a little forward, wasn't she? But not in a bad way exactly… I cleared my throat before speaking slowly.
"Well, I certainly wouldn't have Miss. But given your other female companion's attitude? I'm afraid not. And I don't see your names written anywhere on this table. So, if you want it? In future, try to get here first. Maybe have one of your other companions sit here while the others bring food? Better luck next time," I said, turning back my book, zoning them out.
I then, thought I heard some sort of animal growling followed by feeling a sudden rush of wind. Before a cold hand made their fingers present on top of the page I was reading. It was the pixie girl again,
"Holly, I'm sorry about Rose earlier but she's gone. She and her boyfriend Emmett are having lunch someplace else today. So, it is alright if we- the rest of us sit here?"
I slowly nodded to her with a "Go ahead" about to pick up my book again when someone else cleared their throat. It was the copperhead. He smirked slightly; I don't know what he found funny in that moment but-
"Is there something else?" I asked point blank. Not for the life of me being able to figure out why he or the other two were staring at me. "For God's Sake! Just spit it out" I told them, starting to lose patience and beginning the process of counting backwards in my head before I finally chose to ignore them and resume my book.
The other blond male smirked as well, showing off his southern accent. "I'm sorry, Darlin'. We just don't come across folks like you very often"
Okay, I'll bite. "Folks like what?"
"People who aren't instantly taken in by our good looks"
I just scoffed, "Haven't you heard that "Beauty is only Skin Deep" Ugly can go straight to the bone?"
"You're thinking about Rosalie," said the Copperhead.
I shrugged, "It's not my place to judge her. Her actions could just be the result of a bad day or her suffering from PMS. I also take it, she's someone special to you?"
"She's our sister," the three chorused.
I sighed, closing my eyes before opening them again. "You don't have to tell me about the bonds of family. I have a strong one with my own sister. So, I get where you're coming from. But please know: that I won't be bullied by someone who thinks they have it all together because their prettier than the rest. Some of us actually want to be here" I said, hopefully trying to sound as sincere as I felt.
I would try to let class time be the only time we mingled but if she decided to target me? I would not hesitate to fight back in any way, shape or form. There was a difference between Offensive and Defensive.
"Rosalie is not like that," said the Copperhead.
"Actions speak a whole lot louder than words Mister."
The three siblings looked at each other, sharing a look before responding. "I'm Edward Cullen," the Copperhead announced, reaching his hand across the table towards mine which I shook briefly before letting go.
"Jasper Hale," said the other guy, with a mixed expression of puzzlement and amusement as his hand replaced Edward's. I raised an eyebrow at the name. "Rose and I were adopted by Dr. Cullen and his wife when we were young" he further went on to explain.
I just nodded as my attention turned to the pixie girl.
"I'm Alice," she practically squealed with glee, "And you're Holly Swan, Bella's younger sister. She and I are going to be great friends"
"Have you talked to her yet?" I asked.
The pixie looked down, "No, but I-just have the feeling that we will."
I mentally rolled my eyes; The people of Forks obviously needed their horizons widened if this was their reaction every time a newcomer came along.
People talking aside, the town was still a nice place to be with my dad here. I smiled at the thought as Edward's own eyes softened with a hint of a smile. Before anything else happened, the bell rang.
"See you later," I said, reaching to grab my stuff but Alice was already there, holding everything.
"Here, let me help you,"
"Thanks…" I answered as she proceeded to dump her tray along with mine.
"No problem,"
As she handed over my bag, our hands collided and I was pulled into another "clip". This one was different than the last. I saw Alice, but a fleshier toned version, lying in a hospital bed having a very intense conversation with someone. I couldn't make out his face, but I could see his hands when they reached towards her and I could hear what they were saying:
...
Alice: "No!"
Man: "No!"-Do not save your life? Or "No!"-Do not do it?"
Alice: "There only a CHANCE...Only the slimmest, possible Chance! That they won't reach me before-!"
Man: "But a Chance!"
Alice (hesitantly): You die. The only way I survive is if you fight them to the death. YOUR death… I can't let you do that."
...
I blinked, coming back into reality. "Sorry," I quickly excused myself. "Just spacing out, thanks for your help Alice"
I walked away from them, heading towards U.S. History but not before catching a glimpse of Edward's big bug-eyed look. Wonder what his problem was? Oh, well. I was almost to 4th period when I heard a voice with a familiar southern accent call my name. I looked up from where I was walking and saw Jasper holding one of the doors open for me.
"This way Darlin',"
"How did you get here so fast?" I whispered as we entered, and not a moment too soon at hearing the final bell ring, signaling class had begun.
"I took the short cut," he answered as we sat down and pulled out our text books.
History went by quickly for me, thanks to Jasper's help. I think he'd taken this class before, considering how good he was. Coming up with answers as quickly as Mr. Strong asked the questions. We were studying the American Revolution.
"Thanks," I said as he once more held the door open for me.
"It's not a problem," Jasper responded sounding genuinely sincere, "What kind of classes do you have now?"
"Let's see…" I said fishing for my schedule as I leaned up against a locker. "Looks like P.E. then Band"
"No Science?"
"Not until next year, I don't think. Gives me more time to prepare for the WASL. Since it'll be happening at the same time. Not that I'll pass on the first go. Math and Science are my worst subjects. See ya," I said walking off, following the map to the Gym.
The rest of the school day passed in its usual way, no more Cullens though. I didn't get hit in the head with the volleyball so that was a plus.
I kind of made it my business to move out of the way when it came in my direction, much to the annoyance of the Coach/Teacher.
I told him that Volleyball/Dodgeball wasn't my sport. I spend 97 % of the time trying to be upright as it is, so why would I want to be knocked down or knock someone else down?" When he told me, it was part of the fun, I just looked at him like he was crazy.
We'll see if his answer is the same when he's 79, wobbly without a cane and one of his grandkids tries that. Or maybe he'll learn his lesson sooner, when Bella is the one, he's supervising. She has to have gym at some point? I love my dear Sister, but she's worse than I am on the court. And that includes Collateral Damage.
Band was okay, except for the guy on the left of where I was sitting. Playing his trombone so loud and off key that my ear drums were still ringing even after the real bell rang. Signaling School was finally out.
I met Bella by the truck, "How was your day?" we both said at the same time, followed by: "That bad huh?" before breaking into laughter.
"You first," I encouraged, as we got inside the cab. I listened quietly as she described hers and was surprised to hear how rude Edward Cullen was in their biology. He seemed okay at lunch.
Speaking of which, apparently everyone in the cafeteria had been watching me and them. Including her where she had been sitting with the new "friends." Jessica Stanley especially wanted to know what we were discussing. It was none of "Jessica's" business.
However, I told Bella that we were talking about "Boundaries" because I was having to share a class with their Diva- "Hard to get along with "Sister" and I wouldn't be mowed over.
My sister shook her head, "I wish I had your confidence," she sighed.
"You'll get there" I said, as we backed out of the parking lot. Letting the Cullen/Hale cars go first before heading our way… When we got home, there was a surprise waiting in the driveway. I'd recognized that forest green Grand Jeep Cherokee anywhere.
It was Leah!
