3. The Cullen Clan
Gold eyes, five pair of golden eyes stare back at me, the emotions within those eyes all differ but they're the same gold eyes. My eyes jump from each pair of eyes quickly, my breathing accelerates, my heartbeat increases. My body beings to tremble as I feel goosebumps spread among my arms. I rise on shaky legs barely able to hold myself up, I hear that Jessica is talking to me but it's all muffled out again. Mikes face shifts from excitement to confusion when he focuses on my face, he picks up speed but not by a lot. Probably because he doesn't want to draw on too much attention to himself.
"I have to go," I say in a quiet voice, so low that I'm not even sure if Jessica heard me but I don't care. I pick backpack ditching my food behind and head for the exit in the opposite direction from where Mike is coming. I don't want to deal him and his questioning, he'll hold me back and I just don't want to be here anymore. I pass by Mike on my way out, his expression grows more worried as soon brush him off when he tries to speak to me.
Everything is so disoriented that I can't remember how ended up in the janitor's closet, frankly I didn't realize where I was until a mop fell on my head. The pain on my head distracts me enough that I'm able to calm down a bit but not enough. I still can't get myself to complete relax, the sound of my heavy breathing fills the closet. Is this closet getting smaller? I feel like the walls are closing in on me and I start to panic even more that's getting harder and harder to breathe. I've trying so hard to control my breathing that I don't even realize that the door opening.
"Bella? Are you okay?" Mike tentatively ask as he pops his head inside the closet, I look up to him. "Hey, hey, hey, shhh, you're okay. Shh, you're fine."
He falls down to the floor next to me after closing the door behind him. I try to form the words to talk to him. To ask him who are in Hades are those people, if I can even call them that. Those eyes haunt me in my dreams even hallucinates sometimes but I know that this isn't the case right now. He's gone, he's supposed to be gone. This isn't real, don't let this be real. But I know what I saw and, I know they are not mortals. This is real, and I really wish it wasn't.
"It's okay, shhh. Don't cry," Mike continues to console me, he rubs my back before wrapping his arm around me. His other hands lift up to wipe the tears that I didn't even realize have fallen. "Breathe, in and out. You're okay, it's fine. Everything is going to be okay. "
It takes a while for me to calm down but eventually, with Mike's soothing words, I do manage composed myself. Its silent for while our unison breathing fills the room, my head is on Mike's shoulder. Once my breathing gets back to normal I finally get the nerve to speak.
"What are they?"I ask in a low numb voice, I head rises up as Mike takes a deep breath, straightens his back before he speaks.
"Vampires," He tells me, "They move here two years, Jessica and I have been keeping an eye on them. They keep to themselves, they don't feed off of mortals…"
"What? They're vampires, how do they survive if they don't feed from mortals," I question him.
"They feed off animals. They are relatively safe to be around, we planned on telling you but it's been hard to find the time. And we were worried that if we told you, that wouldn't come here. Which we thought would be a mistake, since we really thought that coming here could help you," Mike explains.
"Okay," I nod my head, thinking over his words. "What do you mean by "relatively safe"?"
"I mean that while they may not kill mortals to feed, but they are nonetheless still vampires. Still dangerous," He whisper to me.
"Why are you whispering?" I whisper to him.
"Why are you?" I stare at him confuse, and he stares back for minute before his face breaks out into a small smile.
I laugh quietly which is follow by him, he lifts his free hand bring it up to his ear tapping it three times. I stare at him, in disbelief of what he just implied. "Really? From all over here?"
He nods.
"Is that why we're not talking in English?"
His head bobs up and down again. Who would have thought? What a strange world we live in, filled with Gods, Titians, monsters, and now, vampires. What could possibly be next? It could be werewolves, they are the natural enemy of vampires, I honestly wouldn't surprise. Before we can talk about it further the bell rings, signally the end of lunch. A huff of air leaves me in defeat, I lay my head back on the shelf. I really don't want to go to class, but after taking a deep breath wipe any leftover tears, I stand up.
I reach out a hand towards to Mike to help him stand, he grasps my hand and begins to get up in bur I purposely loosen my arm causing him to fall back down. Laughter erupts from as me as Mike only groans when he hits the back his head on a shelf.
"Oh my Gods! Are you okay?" I manage to say through my laugh. I reach out my hand again for him which he slaps away causing me to laugh even more.
Walking to next class felt eight miles long, there was this unshakable sensation that I couldn't relax from. That feeling of something bound to happen, regardless I want it to or not, good or bad. After the day I had I really wish nothing will happen, nothing to draw attention to me. Each step brought me closer and closer to my next class until I was right at the door entrance, and with more breath I took a step inside.
I automatically notice him; it would be impossible not to notice him. His pale complexation contrasted nicely with his untamed, bronze color hair with a define strong jawline. Yet it was those eyes that still caught me by surprised, even after what Mike told me, I still couldn't help that swell of panic that rose within me. He stares back unapologetically, his glaze firm and moving as if he was trying to figure something out about me. So I did the same, while my everything in my body was telling to look away I couldn't. While I stare back I notice how his eyes seem to carry years of knowledge and maturity way beyond his age. It took someone pushing past me to break the hold we had on each other
"Hey, I'm walking here!" Mike said in very obnoxious accent of a New Yorker, or at least his attempt to do one. I didn't even brother replying back to his joke, I just rolled my eyes and walked up to the teacher's desk.
"Hello, I'm Bella Jackson," I gave him the slip as I introduce myself, he gave me a small smile in return. And gave me the required textbook back in which informed me that the seat will be available one in the third row. Which just happens to be next to the gold eye vampire with the bed hair that he got from sleeping in his coffin. I smile to myself at my little inside joke, but as I glance back over to him something has change. His posture is much more tense; I can see that his jaw is clench tightly. Back is straightening as his fist one hand over his mouth, ready to pounce like a lion is ready to attack his prey.
I walk slowly over to the sit the entire time we keep in eye contact; I give him a small smile even when every cell in body is ready to fight back. Fight each other, a battle to the death but we can't. There is a room full of students, mortals that won't comprehend why two students that never met, haven't even said a word to each other, are now fighting each other like mortal enemies. Once I reach the desk, I strongly contemplate between sitting down and blotting towards the door, after a minute I begin to sit down with extreme caution.
It's so tense and uncomfortable that it causes me to tap my finger, then my feet which turns into my whole leg to shake up and down. Next thing I know it's almost impossible for me the sit still, I'm itching to move, run, or fight, anything to get me out of this painful situation. How long is this class? It's definitely feels that it been going on longer than the other class, like another hour longer. I look at my watch; it has only been ten minutes since class started. Ten painfully long minutes.
I groan silently, desperately wanting to bang my head on desk, there's still fifty minutes left in the class period. With another huff, I reach into my backpack pulling out my notebooks, pens, pencils, and glasses. A departing gift from Hephaestus that will allow me to read English despite having dyslexia. His reasoning behind that it would be strange to the mortals that the only three students that go to the same summer camp all have dyslexia.
With nothing else I can do, I flip my notebook to a clean page. But that doesn't mean that I am completely focus in class, I can feel when his eyes turn to me every so often briefly throughout the period. They burn holes in my skull every time they turn to me, it's annoying that I can't completely ignore him. Every cell in body feels on fire, vibrating rapidly, my breathing feels heavier making my throat dry. And when I would feel his glaze turn back to either to board or his notebook, I would sneak some glances at him. From the side his jawline is so sharp and perfect, his lips are a lovely tint of soft pink. Lashes that light curl upwards nicely, with that strange bronze untamed hair falling over his forehead.
I don't look for too long, worried that that he would turn around and we'll make eye contact. Which will be the worst thing to happen, those golden eyes that have haunt my dreams and past. I hate his eyes; bringing up the pain that I've being trying to leave behind. Which now have turn pitch black, but the damage is done those gold eyes are burned into my mind. Everything time they meet mine, even if its for a second or minute, I see Charlie, Silena, Lee, Castor, Luke, and so many more. Their faces flashes in my mind every time our eyes meet, that by the time class comes to end I hate him. I hate that he keeps looking at me, how he lingers at me, the fact that him and his family are in this small town. Where I had wanted to get away from the past but now it feels as if it's all backfired now.
In the end, I don't pay any attention in class, everything sounds muffled and distant. My hate for Edward Cullen only continues to grow, shaking with anger and hatred for him I bolt for the door the second before the bell rings. I can feel him behind me, steps just as quick as mine, desperate to escape the classroom.
I don't go to school the next day, looks horrible on paper not showing up for school the next day. But after a night fill with night terror, I barely slept for more than a three hours. Every time I close my eyes all I saw was blood, death and Kronos' gold eyes of Luke's face. At point it was Edward that was possessed by Kronos', hearing Kronos voice coming from Edward's lips. I refuse to sleep after that. I was barely able to get out of bed to get to make an Iris Message to Jessica to let her know of my plans not to go to school. She tells me to rest, that she will take care of informing the school and how to handle everything else. I don't even bother asking how, not really caring how she does it as long as I get to stay in bed.
The day drags in slowly, in and out of sleep to the point time is disoriented. The day is lost in bed, buried under layers of blankets and sheets, curtains blocking out the sun enclosing me in darkness. Everything movement I make whether it be to turn over or adjust pillows is draining. I don't eat anything, the idea of leaving bed is unappealing. It hurts to move, to stay awake or think, my bones feel like lead as does everything else in my body.
I wake up to the pestering sound to doorbell ringing, groaning in annoyance I turn over in bed placing a pillow over my head. Maybe they'll go away after a while, I prayed to the Gods that they leave me alone. My prayers are not answer.
"Bella! I know you're home, open the door," Jessica speaks followed by another round of rings that increase in tempo. "I won't stop until you open the door. You know me!"
Unfortunately, I do. I get up and wrap myself in the blanket before marching over the front door. I swing the door open, staring down at Jessica as I snap at her, "What do you want?"
"Hello to you too. I came to bring the assignment you missed, homework, and other things you'll need to have read for tomorrow," She looks over me, concern display on her face.
"Oh…," I mumble, feeling like a jerk. "Thanks. Do you want to come in?"
"Sure, that way I can go over it with you."
"Great, I'll make tea. Is herbal tea okay?" I step back to swing the door more open so she can come in. Closing the door behind her, I make my way to the kitchen getting out the kettle, tea bags, cups, and honey. "Do you want honey?"
"Bella," She says worriedly but I don't look up. I don't want to face her so I keep myself busy by filling up the kettle with water.
I hum in respond still staring down as water fills the container, once it's full I turn my back to her to place it on the stove to boil.
"Bella, are you okay?" She asks sounding closer, silence fills the kitchen for a while. Taking a long inhale, I look back at her and finally answer her.
"No," I whisper shakily, my vision blurs, tears slide down my cheeks as my jaw starts to quiver.
Jessica walks up to me slowly, placing a hand on my shoulder as if asking me silently if I wanted to be comforted. I leaned into her touch letting her arms wrap around me in hug, placing my head on her shoulder as my breathing coming out in heavy gasps for air. Her hand gently rubbing up and down my back, letting me cry on her shoulder as while we wait for the water to boil.
"Do you want to talk about it or not. Which I completely understand if you don't want to," She tells me as we get settle on the sofa, steaming mugs of tea in our hands.
"It's their eyes, it threw me off. I expected them... not to have gold eyes, I mean what kind of vampire has gold eyes! And I have been having these dreams, more like nightmares, of Kronos coming back. I've trying to ignore them, at least try to, I mean its part the reason I came here. And there they were sitting in cafeteria, I left behind Percy, my mom, the camp and now it feels everything backfired. It sucks," I finished with a deep breath, rubbing my forehead before I finally taking a sip of my tea.
"I get it; they have already been here for year before the war so I got use to them. Despite what they are and my suspicion of them in the beginning, they never gave me a reason to attack. They always keep to themselves and very polite to the point that drives me insane, aloof to the typical teenage angst. Never hurt a mortal in Forks, but the first time I saw them when I got back… I wanted to kill them. I change my classes so I wouldn't have to see them as much. I wasn't easy though this is a small town, they do things to keep up appearance such as go the market, shop, the occasional family dinner in the diner or something. It's been rough," She also pauses to take a sip, she waits a bit more before she speaks again.
"I wanted to tell you, I just didn't know how to bring it up. They're vampires with gold eyes, in my mind every way I said it ended in a disaster. I knew how hard it was going to be already to leave everyone behind, but it was something that you wanted and needed to. I was worried that if I didn't tell you in the right way that you wouldn't come, and I guess it also backfire for me. I'm sorry I didn't let you know," She concludes her speech with another sip, staring at me over the rim her mug.
"You're right, there was no way that conversation would end well. And this was something I need to do, it was all getting to be too overwhelming. The nightmares were getting worse, along with other stuff, so I accept your apology. I honestly wouldn't know how to bring it up either," I state weakly, we both drink the remainder of our teas in silent.
She then goes over the assignments, readings and homework, it keeps us occupied for a while. It's a safe topic to talk about, I even ask unnecessary questions just to prolong it. Unfortunately, it doesn't delay it for long I can't make miracles.
"So what did you do all day?" Jessica ask eyeing me in blanket, I tighten the blanket around me as I look around the house. Anywhere to avoid her eyes.
"Um, in bed napping. I really didn't want to get out of bed," I say softly with a weak smile.
"Bella, I know it can get hard, especially after the day you had yesterday. New school and town, seeing the Cullen clan for the first time but you're stronger that this is."
"It doesn't feel like it sometimes though, but I'm trying."
"Maybe you should go somewhere this weekend, maybe go to San Francisco? See a certain someone," She implies heavily, nudging my shoulder with her. She persists with her nagging until I break laughing at her resulting in her laughing.
"Maybe I will, it has been a while since the last time I saw him. Ugh I can't, I just remember that I made plans to have dinner with my dad this weekend so I don't know if I'll be able to. I'll have to figure something out," I begin to play with my ring, my fingers brushing the smooth, cool surface of the metal.
"Just get through this week and you'll be reunited with your beau, if you can. For a whole weekend, a romantic getaway just like your Pairs trip."
"San Francisco is nothing like Pairs although it could be just as fun. Trying to get through this week will be tough," I inhale and exhale deeply before I speak again, "Especially with Edward sitting next to me in biology. "
"Trust me, everything is going to be okay," Jessica gets up from her seat to go to the kitchen, placing her cup in the sink. "I should head out or my mom will start to worry. See you tomorrow?"
"Yup," I meet up with her at the door. "By the way, do the they know that we know what they are? And do they know what we are?"
"I think they may be some suspicions their end about us knowing what they really are, then again it's not as if they try that hard to hide it. Now about us, I'm sure our scents gave us away that we aren't fully mortals. But they never confronted us about it and vice versa."
I think over her words; it may be time for that to change. Ignoring them won't do anything good, it'll probably be best to be direct with them. From what Jessica and Mike have told me they seem to be a sound mind and reason, I'm sure we'll be able to come to agreement. Just to live a quiet life in the small town of Forks and not draw too much attention to themselves. I'll have to think it over on what will be the best way to approach them.
"Well, I think that they may have to change, it be better to open and honest with them of us being here. Wouldn't want to later cause other problems," I state with a huff.
"Well if that's what you think is best, just let us know what you want to do. By the way, Edward was also missing from school today, thought you should know." She finishes gathering up her stuff and puts on her jacket.
"Huh, maybe he'll be there tomorrow. Drive safe," I say as I open the door for her. Once she gone I clean up the living room, wash the dirty dishes before I head to my room to sleep once again, dreading for tomorrow to come.
Author Note
Just want to say hello to anyone who has taken the time to read. Just want to let you know that create a Pinterest board for this story. To help visualize certain points in the chapters, photos that inspired me or how I imagined things. Find it under the username of ticelyiboa or orchid02. Thank you.
