The Cullens
I was awakened by the sound of my alarm across the room on the nightstand. I was still on the floor. I stretched out my aching muscles, and headed to the bathroom for a quick shower. I let the hot water cascade down my body, massaging my sore muscles before switching off the water. I wrap myself in a towel and head back to my room to get dressed. I pull on a pair of black lace panties and a matching pushup bra, skinny jeans, a deep blue camisole with a black v-neck sweater that complements my curves. I head back into the bathroom to blow dry my hair before straightening it, and pull my bangs up, teasing them before pinning them to my crown.
I quickly do my makeup and head back to my room to pull my slouch boots on, and wrapped a sheer scarf stylishly around my neck. Tucking my phone in my back pocket, I grab my book bag and head to the kitchen for a pack of poptarts and a couple of water bottles. I check my reflection in the hall mirror before grabbing my keys and heading out in the sheeting rain to my truck. Can you imagine if the myths about mermaids sprouting their tails just by getting wet, were true? I thought to myself with a chuckle. Society! I thought with an eye roll.
The cab of the truck is nice and dry inside. I pull out of the driveway and head in the direction of Forks high. I drive slowly, nervous about my first day at a new school. Finding the school wasn't difficult. Even though I hadn't been here before it was, like most other things, just off the highway. At first glance it didn't appear to be a high school at all. The only indication was the large sign declaring to be Forks High School. It was a small collection of small matching red-bricked buildings, surrounded with a lot of trees and shrubs. The forest seemed to wrap around the grounds in a sort of protective manner.
I pulled into a spot in front of the most forward building. The door reading Front Office. No one else was parked here, so I was sure this was not student parking. I decided I would get directions from inside. I hopped out of the truck, it was just starting to calm to a drizzle, and make my way through the door.
Inside, it was brightly lit, and too warm. The air in the small office was stuffy. In the waiting area there were padded folding chairs, an orange colored standard carpet. Flyers, and awards cluttered the walls, and front of the counter that divided the room. Plants grew everywhere in plastic pots around the room, with a large clock ticking loudly on the wall. Behind the counter were three identical desks, one being occupied by a large, red-haired woman wearing a purple t-shirt and glasses.
The woman looked up. "How can I help you, dear?"
"I'm Isabella Swan," I informed her, recognition immediately lighting her eyes.
"Of course," she said, digging through a stack of papers till she found what she was searching for. "Here is your schedule, and I have a map of the school right here," she stated handing me the papers. We went over the best routes to each of my classes, and she handed me a slip for the teachers to sign, and return at the end of the day. I gave her a warm smile before heading back outside.
When I got back out to my truck, other students were starting to arrive. I pulled away from the office and followed the line of students. When I pulled into the parking lot I noticed that the other vehicles were older, like mine, nothing flashy. Back in Phoenix, students drove fancier cars, as it was very common in the Paradise Valley District. The nicest vehicle here was a shiny silver Volvo, and it stood out. I quickly parked and cut off the engine, not wanting to draw unwanted attention.
I quickly glance at the map, memorizing it. Shoving the papers in my bag, I hop out of the truck. Inhaling deeply I head towards my first class, History AP. Reaching the door I walk over to the teacher at the front of the room and hand him my slip to be signed. He gives me a lazy smile before directing me towards the back of the class to the only available seat.
Turning to head to my seat, I freeze momentarily. Struck by the beauty of the young man sitting in the only seat, next the only empty seat. I bite my lip, blushing. He had wavy deep blonde hair that looked like it belonged to a professional surfer. He wore a button down top, boot cut jeans, and cowboy boots. His eyes, catching my attention, were a golden butterscotch color. His facial expression, one of pain. His hands clenched tightly to the edges of the desk.
I sat down in my seat and peeked over at him, he sniffed at the air and visibly became more relaxed, snapping his steady gaze in my direction. I could feel my heartbeat accelerate. Looking away I inhale sharply catching the scent almost immediately. It wasn't human, yet it wasn't shifter. The smell was sweet, of cinnamon apples and hay, with something unfamiliar. His stare never faltered, holding my gaze to his. Mr Wilder seemed to have asked a question and called out to a Jasper Hale to please answer. That's when he turned, breaking eye contact, to the teacher giving an answer to the question. I blushed and looked away staring at my hands. I could feel his stare boring into me.
Jasper Hale, I thought, a small smile spreading across my face. "Excuse me," came a southern voice. I turned in the direction that the voice came from and was shocked, this beautiful man was talking to me.
"Yes," I replied sheepishly, failing to avoid his enchanting eyes.
"You're the new girl, right?" He asked letting his face light up with a grin. Other students were turned facing us, shock written on their faces. Audible gasps when he spoke, introducing himself. "I'm Jasper, but my family calls me Jazz."
My blush deepening at the sudden glances, waiting for my reply. "I'm Isabella, but I prefer Bella." I give him a small smile. I feel a wave of calm settle over me. The bell rings, ending period one. Before I could even register what was happening Jasper stood, and offered his hand to me as I finished gathering my books. I take his hand standing and grabbing my things. Jasper waiting patiently, took my bag, and gestured for me to proceed towards my next class.
"So, where are you from, Jasper?" I ask, blushing as other students stop and stare with mixed emotions.
"I was born in Houston, Texas," he drawled, his southern accent more pronounced now. "How about you, darlin'? Where are you from?" I was distracted by his casual use of the endearment. I shake my head, clearing it.
"I was born here, actually. My mother and I moved away after my mother and father divorced. I was very young at the time," I replied. He seemed to be letting my reply sink in.
"Where did you move here from?" He wondered. I stopped at my locker to replace my history book with my Spanish book.
"Phoenix," I replied. He smiled at me warmly. We walked to my Spanish class talking about nothing in particular, just talking freely. Jasper handed my bag back before waving goodbye to head to his next class. I turn to hand my slip to my Spanish teacher. He introduced himself as Mr. Ortiz, and sent me to find an open seat. I immediately recognized Jessica and took the spot next to her. She was beaming with curiosity.
"So, that hottie with you at the diner and bonfire, is he like your boyfriend or something?" She asked. I chuckled at her description of Jake. I guess he really was a hottie. He's muscular and toned, with beautiful russet skin, deep chocolate eyes, his long hair a shiny black that he always kept tied back. I bit my lip blushing, thinking of his bare chest and abs.
"Um, Jake? Yeah we're dating. We kind of grew up together. His father and my father are sorta best friends," I replied.
"So you two are like destined to be together, forever?" she asked enthusiastically. I shifted in my chair uncomfortably at the thought of the future. Did I really want to spend forever with Jacob? I didn't think I'd spend forever with the first boy I dated, even though I loved him. But forever? Could I do that?
"I wasn't really thinking that far ahead. We sorta just started dating," I replied sheepishly.
"I didn't mean..." her voice trailed off. "You guys are cute together," she added with a small smile. I nodded embarrassed.
Class went by quickly afterwards. I gathered my things and waved bye to Jessica, heading to my locker. I put my book in my locker and slammed it shut. Startled when Jasper appeared next to me.
"Oh! Hello, Jasper." I said. He smiled a dazzling smile showing his perfect white teeth. My breath catching.
"Hello, Bella," he smiled. Like before he took my bag and walked me to my next class. Our previous conversation continued as if never interrupted. He seemed to want to know everything about me, from my favorite color to what I envision my future to entail. I shivered at the thought of what my future would hold. I wave goodbye to Jasper as I head into my third period class.
As I take my seat in Art class a small petite girl dances to the seat next me. I sniff the air when she turns to look at me. The smell from earlier is back but instead of mixed with apples and cinnamon, it's mixed with sweet lilies and something I couldn't name. She turns to me with a bright smile, "hi Bella!" I froze, how did she know my name? I turned to look at her. She had the same butterscotch eyes as Jasper, short pixie like hair, and an incredible sense of style.
"How did you know-"
"Your name?" She interrupted. "Everyone is talking about your arrival, Bella," she smiled. "I'm Alice!" Her energy alone is contagious. I smile at her brightly. Alice strikes up a conversation for the class. We're not working on anything big at the moment. By the end of the class I know about as much about Alice as I do Jasper.
There's something off about them, I can't seem to put my finger on it. When class ends Alice jumps up and dances to a young man with cropped blonde hair, and honey colored eyes. What is it about them? I wondered. Alice waved before disappearing into the hallways. I walk out into the hall, holding my books close to my body trying to avoid being bumped into.
Before I reach the door of my next class, English, I feel a strange sense of calmness. When I get to the door Jasper is talking to a girl. They look like they're arguing. I blush when she turns to glare at me in a menacing way, I hear Jasper hiss at her. I duck my head and walk into the room handing my slip to the teacher before swiftly taking a seat. The class went by quickly, but not quickly enough. The entire time I couldn't escape the menacing glare coming from the beautiful blonde girl sitting in the desk next to mine. The same strange smell was fermenting the air again. Odd.
"You think you're something special don't you," she spat. I flinched at the venom in her condescending tone.
"I don't understand what you're talking about," I quipped. I was so confused. Why did she hate me?
"You should stay away from Jazz," she hissed. Why? What does she know anyway? "I don't think you want to find out why either," she added. I shivered as she continued to glare.
When the bell rings I grab my stuff and run out the door inhumanely fast, running straight into a wall, only not a wall. My cheeks color with embarrassment when I see Jasper standing next the strange guy I just hit.
I quickly collect my things, Jasper bending over to help. Standing I mumble a thanks before running off. The blonde girl grabs Jasper's arm as he calls my name, causing people to stare. I run out to the parking lot and head straight to my truck to hide for the lunch period. I miss Jake, it was frustrating that I couldn't see him. Especially when I felt so alone in this crowded school. A loud knock causes me to jump a little. I look up and immediately feel worse when I see who it is. Paul. What the hell is it with this guy? I thought with disgust. I reach over and unlock the door before settling back into my seat. "What's wrong with you?" He asks, as he shuts the passenger door.
"I don't think it's any of your business. You aren't anything to me," I snapped at him. He flinches at my words before hiding behind his mask. "What are you even doing here, are you following me now," I add.
"Was just in the area and saw you were upset. Thought I'd try to be nice. Don't take it personally Swan," he spat. He started to shake as if to shake in anger. "You smell like one of them!" He was getting angrier.
"What?" I snapped in his direction. What the hell was he talking about? I thought frustrated.
"I said, you smell like one of those leeches," he said between his teeth. Leeches? I wondered. I looked at him confused.
"What are you talking about, leeches?" I asked, watching his reaction carefully.
"Like you don't know already. I figured you'd have heightened senses what with you being a fish, and what not," he said. "I mean have you seen yourself? Did you know you don't even look like you?" he added. "Your eyes even changed!" he shivered.
"Yeah, and you have room to talk?" I spat at him. "Why are you here? I don't want you around me," I hissed. I was angry. How dare he judge me for my natural form, when he turns into a freaking giant dog! I thought angrily.
"Whatever, Swan."
"Whatever, Paul." I caught a small glimpse of something flash over his hard expression when I said his name. I roll my eyes and turn to get out of my truck, I feel his hot hand grabbing my arm. I turn to look at him, noticing his eyes softening.
"Bella, I..." he trails off, then jumps out of the truck, slamming the door behind him, and runs towards the forest, and disappears. I'm left completely confounded and confused. What was that? I wondered. I shake my head to clear the thoughts that start to run amuck within my mind. I jump out of my truck, and head to my next class. Biology.
As I enter the door I noticed that I'm a little early. I introduce myself to my teacher, Mr. Varner, whom is still eating the last remnants of his lunch. He directs me to my new assigned seat. As I wait, I doodle on my notebook. Slowly the class becomes filled, and I notice someone taking a seat beside me. I'm hit with that same smell. Curious, I look up to see a boy with copper colored hair in a strange disarray. He stares at me with a peculiar expression on his face. "What's your problem?" I blurt out.
"My apologies. I wasn't expecting a lab partner. My name is Edward Cullen," he smiles at me sheepishly. I felt a blush color my cheeks, and immediately I notice his nostrils flare. I frown and look away. Trying to play it cool, I sniff the air for anything out of place, but find nothing other than that odd smell. When I look back at him he's staring at me with a worried expression.
"I'm Isabella Swan, but I prefer Bella," I reply to his introduction. I turn back to doodle when I hear my name being called.
"Hey, Bella. We missed you at lunch." It was Angela from the grocery store. I smile at her.
"I didn't feel very well," I lied. I noticed Edward cock his head a little, obviously he caught the lie. I smirk at his reaction. Never judge a book by it's cover, Edward. I thought sarcastically.
"That's too bad. Hope you're feeling better," she smiled at me. Just then, class began.
In the next class, trigonometry, that strange smell was nonexistent. Until I headed to gym class. I noticed I have gym with the large, muscular guy I ran into after English. I was hit with that same smell, again! I couldn't put my finger on it. When the bell rings ending the school day, I make my way to the locker room and dress back into my clothes.
Coming out of the locker room, I see Jasper standing next to the exit. I groan inwardly. I just wanted to get home and call Jake, before Charlie gets home. I know I'm grounded but I can't not talk to Jake.
"Hey, Jasper," I say sheepishly.
"Hello, Bella. Would you mind if I walked with you?" He asked with a smile.
"Sure," I replied. We walk out to my truck in silence. Once there Jasper turns to look at me.
"I just wanted to apologize for the way Rose behaved towards ya, darlin'. She can be a little difficult to get along with," he says matter of factly.
"Jasper you don't have to explain anything to me. Don't worry about it, you have nothing to apologize for," I replied.
"It seemed like the right thing to do," he said sheepishly.
"It's okay, I gotta go. It was nice to meet you." I lean in and give Jasper a hug. He stands shocked then returns the hug slowly. His touch is so cold. I release Jasper and hop into my truck and head home. Pulling up to my house, realization hits me. Oh my gosh! I thought. How did I not notice it. I was so flabbergasted! Paul had called them leeches. I'm surprised I didn't catch it then. The strange smell was only around them. Each one of them had those same butterscotch eyes, and pale skin.
I was attending school with a bunch of vampires.