~ Forks, Washington - September 08, 2004 ~
I pulled the Jaguar into the Forks High School parking lot right next to Bella's SUV. She gave me a smile and a wave before we both exited our vehicles and sauntered over to one another.
"Hi, stranger. Fancy meeting you here." Bella teased.
"Hello, Love." I greeted her as I kissed her forehead.
"I'm sorry again about being so needy last night, and thank you for the t-shirt." She told me.
"Bella, you have nothing to be sorry about. There will be times when we just need one another. I've seen the same behavior with my family and other mated couples. It's not always logical or rational, it's just part of our bond. And I am glad you liked the t-shirt." Before heading out on my hunt, I left the t-shirt I had been wearing with Bella. When I arrived back from the hunt a couple hours later, I found Bella sound asleep wearing it.
"You know I'm keeping it right? Well, at least until you give me a new one." She reached out and touched the current shirt I was wearing. "I like this one, maybe you can leave it as a present for me."
"I see a trend happening already. We'll have to come up with some kind of exchange program. I hardly think it's fair that you get something of mine without reciprocating." I leaned down so that I could whisper in her ear. "I want something that has been up against your skin as well."
Bella blushed and pushed me away. "Stop! I need to be cool and composed today, and you're making me anything but that."
I shrugged and smiled. It seemed I was always off balance near her so it was nice to know I could return the favor.
Rose pulled into the lot and parked next to us, with Emmett, Jasper and Alice in tow. My four siblings got out and looked wearily at the brick building in front of us.
"Tell me again why we just don't say that we're home schooled." Jasper commented. For both of us, being around large groups of angst-riddled teenagers was tortuous.
"Come on, Jaz. It'll be fun here. I'm even going to join clubs with Bella this time!" Alice said excitedly.
"Should I be worried?" Bella asked me knowing everyone could hear her.
"Oh, I'd be worried!" Emmett's voice boomed through the parking lot. "Aly-cat here has your whole social calendar already filled up."
"I do not!" Alice admonished him. "Thursdays and every other Mondays are open." Unfortunately, I could see from her thoughts that she was serious. We all ended up looking at Alice. "What?" She asked, unaware that she had said anything odd.
The parking lot was starting to fill and the other students were staring at us. Six new students coming into such a small student body was big news. Adding in the rumors that one of them was the Chief of Police's estranged daughter, and that the others were the adoptive children of the new hottie doctor at Forks General, we were all huge news this year. Two girls in the growing crowd, Jessica and Lauren, were being especially annoying with their thoughts.
"Let's get inside and get our schedules." I told everyone as I nodded to the group of students gawking at us.
Bella reached out and took my hand. "Is this okay?" She asked as she lifted our joined hands.
"Yes, more than okay." I replied, smiling and reveling in her touch.
"Good." Bella glanced back over her shoulder to where Jessica and Lauren were standing. "I didn't like how that one girl was looking at you. I thought I better stake my claim up front before the skanks here descend upon you."
"You know there is nothing to worry about. You are the only one I am interested in."
"Oh, I know." Bella replied as she leaned into me playfully before standing straight and walking with a purpose. "But I've known lots of girls like them down in Phoenix. The best way to deal with the queen bees of the school is to remove their stinger upfront. Of course, one or both of them will try to challenge your sisters or me. It will be their test to see if we are a threat, an asset, or not worth their time. However, me being the Chief's daughter, they will be inclined to want me as part of their clique. What they will fail to realize is that I don't give a damn about their position in the social hierarchy or the prestige of being in their group. I don't make a lot of deep friendships on purpose. I want to be around people who make me a better person, and in return, I hope that I make them better as well. As I see it, I am ahead of the game here in Forks. I already have you and your family, besides that I will befriend who I want, and not who the queen bees assign me to."
I stopped walking and just stared at Bella.
"What? Did I say something wrong?" She asked.
"Wrong? No, Love. I am just in awe over you. Most teenagers are so preoccupied with playing the popularity game that they never see themselves clearly. They never see their worth as a friend or companion. It's just…you're wise beyond your years."
"Thank you," Bella replied with a slight blush. "You don't have Charlie Swan as a dad and not pick up a few things. He always wanted me to make smart decisions about my friends. He always said that having one really good friend is better than having a dozen fair-weather ones. I guess that always stayed with me."
A couple of minutes later we both caught up with my family just inside the school's main office, where Mrs. Cope was frantically trying to deal with six new students. She stammered her way through handing out our class assignments. Rose and Emmett were seniors so their classes were different than ours. Much to Bella's surprise she shared every class with Alice, Jasper, or myself. Little did Bella know that Jasper had accessed the school's student scheduling system and arranged for us to be together. Part of this came down to safety. Jasper still struggled with human blood, and high school was a daily minefield in that regard. He felt better having at least Alice or I with him throughout the day. Although as a surprise, he opted to arrange the schedule so that he and Bella shared history together without Alice or I.
"Hey, babe, we have four classes together. What are the chances of that!" Emmett said to Rose who just rolled her eyes.
Bella grabbed my schedule sheet and compared it to hers. "Hey, we have three classes together! Math, honors English, and biology." Bella said with a big smile. Bella looked over everyone else's schedules. "Wow! We all have honors English together and math. Alice and I have gym together and a study hall. Jasper and I have honors history together. Plus we all have lunch together." Bella looked over the schedules and back to us with a suspicious look. "Did you arrange this, Edward?"
"Me? Not exactly, but I may have had some input." I told her with a wink.
Alice wrapped an arm around Bella led her down the hallway. "Bella, we always figure out a way to get our classes to overlap, at least in high school. Jasper's job is much easier now that everything is computerized. Trust me, you'll get used to it."
Bella shook her head as the first bell rang out through the hallways. Without too much of a surprise Bella also realized that all of our lockers were right next to one another. I told her it was just another perk of having Jasper tweak the schedule for us all.
Our first class was honors English, which for Forks High School meant a split between classic literature and creative writing. As we entered, Bella and I took seats by the far wall. Jasper and Alice sat behind us. As the students filed in, our presence was immediately noticed. Bella bore the attention well, as she greeted the occasional brave student. Bella's face lit up when a brown haired girl entered the classroom.
"Hi Bella!" The girl said as she approached us. She was a bit intimidated by the sight of my family, but she continued towards us.
"Angela, it's good to see you! Come sit next to me." Bella called out to her.
Bella introduced us all to Angel Webber. She had heard about us from her father, who had already met Carlisle, and her grandmother, Betty whom I knew from the Police station. She thought it was very admirable for Carlisle and Esme to adopt us all.
A moment later, one of the girls from this morning, Jessica entered. She was chatting with a boy, Mike. Jessica saw Angela sitting next to Bella so she bounced over to meet the new kids.
"Angela, I see you have some new friends," Jessica said as she sized us all up.
"Yes," Angela said. She was uncomfortable with being forced to do introductions, but she made them anyway. "Jessica Stanley and Mike Newton, I would like you to meet Bella Swan…Edward and Alice Cullen…and Jasper Hale." Angela paused and looked to Alice. "Did I get everyone's name right?" She asked timidly.
"You did!" Alice said in a cheerful voice. "It's nice to meet you two." Alice answered for the group.
It was a good thing Angela did not address me because I was staving off the thoughts of Jessica and Mike. Jessica wanted to know what a hottie like me could see in Bella. Whereas, Mike was fixated on my Bella. His thoughts quickly jumped from thinking she was pretty, to him wondering what she would look like naked. I could feel a low growl start in my throat as I flexed my hands into fists.
"Calm down, Edward," Jasper said in his thoughts. "Any louder and the humans will hear."
I could feel the telltale shift in my emotions that signaled Jasper flexing his gift in an attempt to calm me. Jealousy was not an emotion I was used to dealing with. I knew from previous school stints the attention my sisters received from the male students. Jasper and Emmett dealt with it in different ways. Emmett frightened most males, so they ogled Rose from afar. He rarely asked what the other students thought of him or Rose. He knew she was gorgeous and he actually loved it when she would take matters into her own hands and tell any want-to-be alpha males they needed to back off. Jasper, on the other hand, was calculating in his jealousy. He could sense when another male lusted after Alice. Jasper would redirect the urge to rip apart the offender by flooding them with feelings of inadequacy and impotence. I knew I needed to find a way to deal with this new phenomenon before I serious hurt someone.
Before Mike could continue his mental perversions of my Bella, the teacher arrived and called the class to order. Forty-five minutes later the class ended. As soon as the bell rang, Bella turned to me and gave me a concerned look.
"Are you okay?"
"I may have to kill him," I said softly as my gaze bored holes into the back of Mike Newton's head.
Bella glanced over to Mike who was just now leaving the classroom.
"Let me guess, his thoughts about me weren't very pure?" Bella batted her eyes and flashed a flirty smiled as she tried to diffuse my bad attitude.
"Quite the opposite of pure," I replied.
She took my hand and led me out of the classroom.
"Normally I would say his thoughts are harmless, but I guess for you they aren't, huh." Bella gave me a sad smile. "Was Jessica just as bad?"
"Yes. Despite their claimed attraction for one another, each of them had no problem fantasizing about you and I."
I watched as Bella's countenance darkened. "Maybe you'll have to kill both of them," Bella said quietly before muttering "bitch" under her breath.
Jasper was waiting for Bella outside of their history classroom.
"Tough day so far?" Jasper asked in his thoughts. I gave him a slight nod. "I can tell. You both are oozing anger and jealously, but also a tremendous amount of love for one another. I am happy for you, at least for that last part. You deserve it. I'll watch our for her."
I gave Jasper another nod.
"I'll see you in math," Bella said as gave my hand a squeeze before entering the room with Jasper.
"Come on. Let's go learn Spanish…again." Alice quipped.
During our Spanish class, I followed what was happening in Bella and Jasper's history class. The other girl from the parking lot, Lauren Mallory, introduced herself to Bella and Jasper. So did a geeky looking boy named Eric. His thoughts about my mate were not as bad as Mike Newton's, but still put me on edge. Lauren's main interest was to let Bella know, and to a certain extent, Jasper, that she was the social head of their class. Bella and Jasper greeted her, but then continued their private discussion.
About halfway through the class, Bella's teacher got called down to the office. I scanned the minds of the staff. Her teacher was about to find out his car was backed into by a delivery truck. As soon as the teacher left the room, Lauren went over to speak to Jasper and Bella. Lauren didn't like that Jasper and Bella seemed largely unimpressed with her, so she was going to use this class break to do some digging and push a few buttons. Bella's initial assessment that either Lauren or Jessica would attempt to test her was correct.
"So Jasper, the rumor mill has it your family moved here from the east coast?" She asked.
"That's correct," Jasper replied in his smooth southern drawl. He didn't offer up any more information, which annoyed Lauren.
"And Bella, you came up from Phoenix?" Lauren asked.
"That's is also correct," Bella's answer mimicked Jasper's. A flash of anger went through Lauren over Bella's response.
"From what I heard it was quite sudden too?" Lauren added. "Hmm, makes me wonder if you got kicked out or something." Lauren faked a laugh so it would seem that she was kidding.
From Lauren's vantage point I saw Bell just shrug in response. By this point the entire class was listening their exchange.
"And what, you've been here less than a week and you're already dating Jasper's brother? Wow! You work fast!" Lauren said, before adding under her breath, but still loud enough for most to hear, "or maybe it's your fast ways that got you sent up here."
Bella locked eyes with Lauren and didn't waiver, which unnerved Lauren. Most of the girls backed down when confronted by Lauren.
"What can I say, Laura," Bella snarked back, raising her brow in defiance for calling Lauren by the wrong name. "When I see a good thing I go after it. And believe me, Edward is a good thing. Plus, from what I've seen so far," Bella paused to look up and down Lauren's profile, "Edward wouldn't have found what he was looking for from the existing Forks student body. He has very discerning tastes."
Before Lauren could retort, their teacher returned and class resumed. Lauren sat and stewed over Bella, but she decided to bide her time before she would approach her again.
Alice nudged my arm to break me out of my thoughts. "What's got you smiling? Something to do with Bella?" She asked, even though she was fully aware of what was going on.
I nodded. "Yeah, she just removed the stinger from a queen bee." I told her.
Alice thought about my comment for a moment before thinking, "Good for her!"
As Spanish wrapped up, I wanted to be outside Bella's classroom waiting for her. I knew she was brave and strong, that was evident with how she stood up to Lauren. I didn't want to undermine that, but I wanted her to know I appreciated and supported her. So with five minutes left in class I raised my hand.
"Yes, Mr. Cullen?" The teacher asked.
"¿Puedo ir al baño?" I replied, asking if I could use the bathroom.
"Since you asked in Spanish, yes you may," she answered back with a smile. I quickly gathered my books and left the classroom.
Thirty-seconds later I was standing outside of Bella's room. In a low whisper, I let Jasper know I was waiting for her and that I was willing to help with Lauren anyway she saw fit. Jasper leaned over and whispered my message to Bella. I could see from his thoughts that she first blushed a little, before a sly smile graced her beautiful face.
Two minutes later the bell rang and students flooded the hallway. Lauren spotted me as she left the classroom. She approached with a determined look on her face and malice in her thoughts.
"You're Edward Cullen, right?" She asked.
I nodded as I kept a lookout for Bella. When she exited the classroom she came to stand right behind Lauren.
"You know, I can see why Bella threw herself at you so quickly. You're hot! You could do so much better than her, you know." Lauren purred.
"Actually," I replied loud enough for most of the hallway to hear. "I was the one who threw myself at her. Now if you will excuse me." I pushed by Lauren. In a step I reached Bella, cupped her cheeks with my hands, and I kissed her deeply. Bella immediately got into the spirit of the kiss and ran her fingers into my hair. After a few seconds the students around us started to clap their hands and whistle. I reluctantly pulled away from a breathless Bella and gave her a quick wink, before I turned back towards a very stunned Lauren Mallory. "Oh, and you're wrong. I could never do better than Bella. She's sexy, intelligent, and compassionate…I've never met anyone like her. She's amazing." I turned back towards Bella and took her hand. "You ready for math, Love?"
Bella smiled brightly back at me and nodded. Once we had turned the corner, she broke out into a fit of giggles. "Oh my god! The look on her face when you kissed me was priceless!" Bella took a couple of deep breaths before nudging me in the shoulder. "You said some really sweet things back there, thank you."
"I only spoke the truth." I replied sincerely as we caught up to Alice and Jasper.
"You should know that by lunch, pretty much the entire junior class will know what happened between you two and Lauren. I don't see her bothering either one of you for a while." Alice said a bit smugly.
"Good, I'm glad," Bella replied. "I really hate the drama."
Math was uneventful. The thoughts of the other students only occasionally drifted to my family or Bella. After math we split up. Alice and Bella went off to study hall while Jasper and I headed to gym. In gym, Coach Clapp, went over the rules we were required to follow before allowing the students to break out the basketballs. Jasper and I stood off to the side and chatted while we casually passed a ball between the two of us.
"Edward, I just wanted to tell you how terrific it is to feel the joy and love flowing out of you, despite the occasional flash of anger or jealousy. I am glad it has been working out between you and Bella."
"Thank you. I knew that the loneliness and frustrations I had felt before had to be taxing on you. I'm glad that I can send some positive vibes your way for a change."
Before we could continue, Mike Newton came over to Jasper and I. Without any warning, except that he had been mentally going over his scheme for the past couple of minutes, Mike threw the basketball at me. "Hey, Cullen...think fast! He cried.
Without breaking eye contact with Jasper, I caught the ball in one hand and tossed it thirty feet over my shoulder, where it swished through the far basketball rim.
"Nothing but net, brother," Jasper said mentally as he gave me a quick wink. The gang of guys Mike was hanging around with all stood mimicking Newton's astonished, gaping look. I motioned for jasper to toss me the ball we had been playing with, before I turned towards Mike sporting a devilish smile.
"Hey, Newton…think fast!" I said before tossing the ball at him. I only used a small fraction of my vampire strength, but the ball struck Mike in the abdomen with the force of a sledgehammer, sending him careening backwards ten feet. I watched with great satisfaction as Newton flopped around on the floor attempting to recover his breath.
"Oh, brother! I can see this is going to be a fun year!" Jasper said with a hearty laugh.
After gym, Jasper and I met the girls outside the lunchroom. As Bella slipped her hand into mine, I felt like I was whole again. Unsurprising, Jasper's thoughts and feelings echoed mine. Inside the lunchroom, Rose and Emmett had already taken possession of a table off to the side and were waiting. Dozens of eyes followed us across the room and watched as we sat down.
"We're quite the point of interest," I told my family as I glanced back towards the other students.
"Luckily, that passes after a few days," Rose said with a sigh. "Emmett nearly killed some poor kid today for coming on to me."
"The little shit touched you!" Emmett growled. "Besides, I stopped before I broke anything."
"So, its natural to feel this possessive and protective?" Bella asked as she side-eyed two sophomore girls that walked past obviously checking me out.
"Oh, yeah," Alice answered. "It's a mating thing. I would like to say it gets better, but it doesn't."
"But after a few set-downs," Rose added, "most of the student body gets the hint."
"True," Emmett continued. "Except for Edward here. His good looks always seem to get the girls hot-n-bothered." I shot Emmett a look that said "shut-up", but he kept going. "There are always one or two chicks that just don't take 'no' for an answer."
"Terrific," Bella said sarcastically while still glaring at the sophomore girls.
"If it's any consolation, Bella, Edward is getting it much worse than you." Jasper told her. "I see a glimpse of it with their feelings, but Edward hears their thoughts." He paused and looked around the room taking quick note of some of the males. "And right know, most of the male student population is lusting after all three of you."
Bella looked at me and raised her eyebrows, asking me to confirm Jasper's statement. "Yeah, it's been a rough morning," I replied with a sad smile.
Right before lunch ended, the girl's left so Bella could have a few human moments before our biology class. Emmett took our mates' absence to talk strategy.
"So how's everyone handling our arrival? Anyone connect any dots that they shouldn't?"
"No," I answered. "Bella has been attracting a lot of attention, but the topic detour seems to be that we're all coupled-up."
Emmett smirked. "It feels good, doesn't it?" He asked. "Despite wanting to kill some of these fuckers for coveting our women, it feels good to know they will never have them?"
"Yeah, it kind of does." I replied honestly. Emmett slapped me on the back and we both laughed as we headed out of the lunchroom.
About halfway to biology, I let out a growl over Mike Newton's thoughts. Apparently, he had biology with us and he was currently asking Bella if she would be his lab partner.
Once I had reached the room, I decided to stay outside. I wanted nothing more than to charge in and claim what was mine, but a small voice told me to let Bella fight this battle on her own.
"So, Bella," Mike stammered. "I was wondering if you want to be lab partners?"
"I don't think so," Bella said without hesitation. Mike stood next to her. It was clear he wasn't going to give up easily.
As Mike reached for the stool next to Bella, she dropped her bag on top of it.
"That seat is taken." Bella said sternly. I could see her inch away before Mike reached out and grabbed her hand. I saw red as Mike wondered if the unseen parts of her body were as soft as her hand.
"Come on, don't be like that." Mike said in a smooth voice. "Give me a chance."
Bella glared down at his hand before looking up at Mike with an odd smile. An instant later Bella flipped her hand around and grabbed Mike by the hand and bent back his wrist. She kept the pressure on his wrist and pushed him unwillingly to ground. Sharp pain shot up Mike's arm to his shoulder. Bella still held onto his wrist and bent it backwards further until Mike yelped in pain. The other males in the classroom winced and gawked as they witnessed my mate in action. The females looked on in admiration and awe.
"If you ever touch me again without my permission, I will make sure you never father a child!" Bella spat at Mike while she tweaked his wrist backwards again. "Do I make myself clear?" Mike nodded as the sharp pain in his wrist and arm caused his body to shake. "Good!" Bella released his wrist and sat down on her stool. She looked smug.
I casually entered the class and sidestepped past a still reeling Mike Newton. I glanced down at Mike before giving Bella a cocky smile. "Did I miss anything?" I asked.
Bella shook her head before pulling her bag from my stool. "Nope," she replied in a voice loud enough for the other students to hear. "I was just reminding Mike that I was daughter of cop who made sure she could handle herself."
I sat down next to her and marveled at the look confidence and power emanating from her. She was glorious and it made me love her even more.
The last period of the day was largely uneventful. Jasper and I had a free period while Bella and Alice had gym. I tensed a bit when Lauren and Jessica entered the gym as well, but they largely ignored Bella and Alice. However, I could tell from Lauren's thoughts that she was not pleased to see them both.
When the final bell rang, Jasper and I quickly made our way to the gym. Alice and Bella come out giggling and laughing as they bounced over to greet us.
"I'm glad that is over with," Bella said with a sigh.
"So am I because it means I get to do this," I replied before leaning down and kissing her quickly on the lips.
"Mmm, I like that," Bella cooed.
After a stop at our lockers, I walked Bella out to her car. Charlie wanted to take Bella out for a special dinner to celebrate her first day of school, so she was going straight to the station after school.
"I know you enjoy spending time with your dad, but I'm going to miss you tonight." I told her in between a couple of kisses.
"I'm going to miss you too." Bella leaned into my chest and breathed deeply. "Can you come by tonight after Charlie goes to sleep?"
I eagerly agreed. As much as I wanted to spend every moment of eternity with Bella, I knew she needed to have time with Charlie and her other friends, like Angela. I could share her, especially if I got to spend the night holding her.