FIVE
Monday evening
Bella isn't at school on Monday and Edward wonders where she is. He debates sending her a text to ask her if she okay, but he doesn't want her to think that he is a stalker. She isn't in school very often anymore. He never paid much attention as to why until now.
When the final bell rings, Edward practically runs to his car. His friends call out to him, asking him where he is going, but he lies and says that his mum is finishing work earlier than usual. Jess still follows him.
"Can you not stay for just one?" She proffers a cigarette in his direction. He already has the engine running, but she is leaning through the open window. Her tie is gone, her shirt unbuttoned at the top, so her wonderful cleavage is on show. Edward tries his best not to look.
"I've really got to go, Jess."
"Shame. I was hoping you could give me a lift home afterwards." She jostles slightly, her boobs jiggling in response.
"Maybe tomorrow."
She draws back from the window and he is gone before she even gets back to the others.
She is already there when he arrives. The skin on her cheek looks slightly darker, bruised.
"You weren't at school today."
She looks up and nods. "I know. I study better here."
"You've been here the whole day?"
"Yeah. Well, I had a doctor's appointment this morning, so I just decided to take the rest of the day off. I do it all the time now."
"How comes?"
"No one throws milk at me here."
He chuckles awkwardly. "I suppose. What are you working on?"
"Just Mrs Smith's bio. Have you done it yet?"
"Yeah, I can help you if you want?"
He slides into the seat beside her and looks over her papers. The writing is messy, unorganised. An hour or so later, they are done.
"Dunno why I even took biology in the first place." She says dejectedly as she packs her work away. "I'm barely passing."
"What are you getting?"
"Straight E's. No matter how much I try, it doesn't seem to register in here." She taps her temple.
"I'm more than happy to help you. I think I kind of understand it. If we put our brains together, it could be useful."
"Thanks, but I'd feel bad. I don't wanna take you away from what you come here to do."
"It's no bother. It's only drawing."
"What do you like to draw?"
"Different things really. I like creating my own comic books. I'd love to be an illustrator one day."
"Funny, I never would have pipped you as an artist. Can I see some of your stuff?"
Edward pulls his sketch book from his own backpack and flicks through the pages. They are littered with his latest superhero adventure, Invisi-girl. Isabella stays quiet as she reads through, and he takes it that she doesn't like them.
"They're just silly-" He says as he tries to pull the book back. She stops him.
"Edward…these are incredible."
"You think?"
"Oh my God, yes. Honestly, I reckon someone would pay you good money to publish these."
"Don't be silly."
"I'm not. I'm just telling you the truth."
Edward feels his ears burning and he looks down at the table, unable to meet her gaze. "I've never showed anyone my drawings before."
"Why not?"
"They'd think they were stupid."
"No, they wouldn't. You've got a talent."
"I think I told Jess once on a night out and she just laughed at me, so I just keep it to myself."
"Well, your secret is safe with me. I would never laugh at them."
"I know. Thanks."
Cuties! My heart is so full for them!
Thank you for reading! I love seeing you all so so much :D