Finally, I got it out! Yay, I'll try and get the next chapter out sooner. Hope you enjoy it. Again, Comments welcome!
The disclaimer: based on books by Stephenie Meyer. I do not, in any way, profit from the story and that all creative rights to the characters belong to their original creator.
2. Conventional
The rising sun seeped through the blinds, the rays resting on my face. The delicate songs of birds filled my ears. I could hear the stream babbling in the woods. I lay there still and quiet. I had been awake for a while. A long while. It was the nightmares. Again.
I wrapped my white satin night gown over my pale shoulders and headed to the kitchen where my parents sat round the old oak table. My mind was empty. Purposefully. It hadn't taken me years to master the ability, but now, I was fully able to blank out thoughts for moments at a time. Though he never mentioned it, I was fairly sure it caused my father a certain amount of annoyance, and me, just the faintest hint of joy.
"Morning sleepy head!" My mother said before she jumped out her seat and coiled her arms around me in a loving embrace.
"We've got your favourite breakfast today." My father pointed to his pan and then to the table. "Eggs, sunny side up, and a glass of blood." He smiled at me and I reciprocated. It was, most definitely, my favourite breakfast. I took a sip from the glass. I loved the way it felt down my throat, satiating hunger in an instant. As I sat, contently gorging myself, I noticed my mother staring at me. She was unnaturally fidgety and very hesitant. I sensed an uncomfortable conversation brewing. Eventually she spoke.
"Are you sure you want this?" I stopped mid chew.
"Mmu schure aahh wan waa?" I mumbled incoherently. She sighed, oblivious to my answer. My mother gently caressed my hand.
"You've been through so much sweetie. I, I just don't know if you need to do this? What with Alice, Jasper away and you know...what happened..." I swallowed hard. "...and...well, you'd have to lie to your friends...all the time, it will be so exhausting. Not forgetting you're already smarter than well, everyone...except maybe Carlisle...Do you really want this? Do you really want to go to high school?"
Before I could answer my father had slided up to her, placing a placating hand on her back.
"She needs this..." he said with conviction in his voice. "Nessie needs to experience the normal, human, life. The normal things, friends, exams, proms...We all had our chances, however short they might have been. We can't deny her a life. She deserves this..."
With a look of resignation on her face, my mother looked into my fathers eyes.
"But, Edward, after everything she's been through..."
"Precisely." My father said calmly. "That's exactly why she needs this. Nessie needs a break." His voice quietened to a whisper. "She needs to think about...something else."
I masked my feelings of guilt under a tentative smile.
"Besides..." My father continued. "Charlie's here to take her to school."
I pulled on the frayed grey sleeves of my cardigan and took a deep breath. Nervously I twisted a lock of my auburn hair around my fingers. I peered out the window of my mum's old truck, watching the kids stream through the newly rebuilt Forks High school. The feeling in the pit of stomach suggested this hadn't been such a good idea after all.
"Well, Ness..." Charlie began. "...this is it, what you wanted. Something ...a little bit more conventional." His voice seemed to hover over the last few words as I began deliberating the situation.
Before the... incident, it had been so different. Back then it had been my sole wish to satisfy my curious mind and experience the normal life. I had wanted to go to school. Since I was born I had known that I was different to everyone else, unique. I had seen things that would make the world spin off it's axis and plunge into a black hole. My family were vampires, and my best friends, werewolves! It was hardly the conventional life. Not to mention that though I physically appeared sixteen, I had only come into existence eight years ago.
Well, nearly sixteen. My birthday was in a week.
The idea had caused great debate amongst my family. My mother in particular had felt great unease at the plan, conjecturing, that it would be too difficult to consistently maintain a water tight alibi of my life. But I had my ways. Having the whole family wrapped around my finger meant it took an innocent look and a cute smile to get me what I wanted. Finally I was granted my wish. The plan was in motion. Begrudgingly, but most definitely in motion. It was to be my 'tenth' birthday present. I couldn't have been more excited.
Then the school mysteriously burnt down. Well, it was a mystery for them, the conventionals. But not for me.
As the last throught passed through my mind, I shuddered. My hand pulled the door release and I slid out the car, managing to kiss my grandpas cheek before I got out. I smoothed my hair down and pulled my sleeves over my fingers. I was a vampire-human half breed with acute hearing/vision and super strength. I could do this. I could walk through the school gates. My body tensed. I shot a glance back to the truck, hoping Charlie would give me an encouraging push. No such luck. He was already gone. The parking space was empty. I bit down hard on my lip. I was going to do this. I bargained with myself - no more pitiful Renessmee. It was time for the real Renessmee Cullen. I clutched tightly to the bracelet my best friend had once given my mother. I rubbed the wooden wolf charm with my thumb and braced myself.
Through the gates I sighed a breath of relief. I had done it. It felt good. Good until I felt all eyes turn to stare at me. My acute hearing picked up the school ground mutterings. There were whispers of confusion, but mostly of admiration. As hard as I tried I couldn't prevent a small smile curl around the corner of my lips. This was good. I continued walking, head up and my eyes forward. My periphery vision worked over time, scanning the faces of my soon to be school mates. I joined the queue of snaking students waiting to confirm their registration.
Time passed slowly. I entertained myself by watching the students on the school grounds. Girls huddled together in groups gossiping animatedly, whilst groups of boys danced around them excitedly, shouting and mocking each other. This was it. What I'd hoped for. Life as a conventional human being. This was my first day in a shiny new school. Actually, it was everyone's first day but unlike me, the students here never had to live under a web of delicately woven stories. They lived more simple lives. One's where they weren't afraid to tell you who they were, who their parents were. Lives where they didn't have to fear an ancient ruling clan of Vampires, hell-bent on destroying everything that was close to you. I stopped my thoughts. I really had to stop being so dramatic.
"Name?" The impatience in the woman's voice caught me off guard. I hadn't even realised I'd reached the front of the queue.
"Uh. Nessie." Her eyes showed signs of irritation. "No,wait Renessmee."
"Ren...ess...mee? Oooohh kay." She elongated the words so it sounded ridiculous. "and your last name?"
"Cullen" She sat up in her seat instantly, and eyed me closely. Her pen was held against her pink glossed lips. She looked contemplatively at me.
"You're a...a Cullen?" She asked intrigued.
"Yes Miss" I replied obediently
"Yes, Miss Mallory!." she corrected before giving me a weak fake, smile. "Hmm, now off you go Ren...ess....mee!"
An introductory pack was thrust into my hands as she gave me a fake, superior smile. For a few second I stood still, amazed by her attitude. This was my very first experience of school life; I didn't want it to be negative. I turned to her annoyed at the rude reception, my mouth open ready to speak. Suddenly a wind gushed between us and her papers were blown up into the grey morning sky. Miss Mallory jumped into the air, clamouring after the flying paper. Her face contorted into one of panic and extreme annoyance. The gust of wind caused her skirt to fly up, revealing her bright pink underpants. All the students turned to catch this entertaining vision. They roared with laughter and shameful though it was, I couldn't resist chuckling along.
After registration we were all ushered into the gymnasium for a 'An Official Forks high School Welcome'. The school principal, Mr Brown, a balding tubby man gave a long speech about 'the virtues of studying hard' and 'school spirit'. He also broached the subject of the 'rebirth' of the school after 'mindless thugs had ravaged this respected pillar of learning, in an inhumane, mindlessly violent burning... '
I switched off. I'd heard it so many times. And none of it was true. The school had never burnt down because vandals had set it on fire. It had been the scene of a frenzied confrontation between a couple of newborns and some dear friends of mine. Seth Clearwater and Quil Ateara. The neighbouring residents had heard strange noises and alerted the police. My Grandpa, chief Swan, had gone to investigate. On hearing the despicable Volutri were in town, Jacob had ordered Seth and Quil to watch over Charlie, inevitably a linchpin in the Volutri's sick plans. Fortunately, Charlie had managed to escape unscathed and, bizarrely mostly clueless about what was really going on. In truth though, he tried most resolutely to be clueless. He wasn't dumb. He just didn't want to acknowledge the supernatural truth. For him, ignorance was, most definitely, bliss.
The 'Welcoming' didn't seem like it was going to end. Mr Brown was so monotonously dull I felt he might lull me into a coma. I begged for some distraction. My eyes passed aimlessly among the students and then quite abruptly stopped. In the corner, next to the exit, stood three boys. Their expressions were disinterested. The one closest to the exit seemed short but muscular, his hair was dark and cropped closed to his head. The boy next to him seemed much taller and thinner in comparison. His jeans were two times too big for him. The final boy, had ash blonde hair, down to his nose, ruffled. I couldn't see him clearly. I tried for a better angle when all the students began to get up. The Welcoming had finished.
My first lesson was in room 108. It was English Lit. I followed the map I'd mentally secured in my head. Left here, right there, down the long corridor with windows either side that made me feel like I was in an aquarium. I stopped in front of the door awash with an almost violent nervousness. I considered whether I really wanted to do this. A hand grabbed me. I turned round. A girl stood with tousled dark hair and a crazy, beaming grin. It was Erika Reagan.
Erika had moved here in the summer when her father had taken a job working with Charlie at the police station. More recently her mother had taken a job as the school's part time receptionist. Reagan, as she preferred to be called, was anti-establishment, an interesting quality when considering her fathers job. Her sense of humour was unparalleled. Unfortunately, I had not experienced it as much as I liked, as had she spent most of the summer in Hawaii.
"Nessie! I'm super stoked to see you. Everyone's so damn stiff here. How are things? How was your summer?" I felt joyed at hearing her, very typical, enthusiastic tone It relaxed my apprehensive heart.
As I prepared to answer her questions three girls thrust ahead smirking. Their entry seemed to command presence. The girl in front was average height with streaky white blonde hair, strangely orange skin and unnaturally white teeth. She was followed by a gangly girl with braces and jet black hair. The last girl sported light brown hair, almost mousy coloured. Her face was, like the others were covered in make-up. I examined their faces wondering if I'd ever seen them before.
"Ooohh, involved much!" Reagan joked. "Do you know them?" My confused expression answered the question. "You probably don't wanna know them! The blonde was hassling my mum earlier. She's called Makenzie. California girl dontcha know? Transferred recently. Blah Blah. The other one is Cara Richmond. But I guess you know her already, what with her being the richest gal in town. And the mousy thing there Paige. Nothing remarkable. Bit of a sheep. Her mum always calls the station to complain about noisy neighbours and lost cats." She mockingly gestured a yawn. As they walked past Makenzie shot a less than favourable look in our direction. My head turned to assess Reagan's expression. She was completely unfazed.
Regan and I sat together, second row from the front. I was excited. This was a completely new experience for me. This was normal. Complete normality. The teacher, Miss Campbell went through the texts we'd be working on this semester. Hemmingway, cool. My former literature teacher, Mrs Isabella Cullen, had already taken me through this, so I couldn't imagine it being too hard. Everyone groaned. Did no one like Hemmingway? I looked over at Reagan. She was slumped on the table, bored.
My eyes surveyed the sea of faces around me. Some were familiar such as that of Donny Pritchard, Forks village idiot in waiting. He was famed for his crack brained schemes that never seemed to work. He was staring at the girl on the desk in front. My ears strained towards him as his whispers revealed his will to pull her bra strap. I also recognised Lizzy Faulkner, her straight hair pushed back with a headband. She sat perfectly straight, very austere.
My random musings were eventually interrupted by Reagan informing me it was lunch time.
We followed the throng of students through to the cafeteria. The bored faces I'd witnessed during the Welcoming and class were suddenly so animated. It puzzled me a little but it seemed people didn't really like school. Lunch was a lively affair. The students had all assembled round the identical plastic grey tables. The screech of chairs ricochetted off the walls. Sounds of chatter illuminated the room. The smell of pizza lingered in the air. Reagan and I sat with a couple friends she had made, Mia Niven and Evelyn Williams. Their story was an adorable one, one which made me long for something, for someone. There mothers had given birth to them both, on the same day, in the same hospital. I listened with increasing sadness in my heart. It reminded me of my best friend. I wanted to launch into stories about me and my best friend but my internal monologue took over. This was the new Renessmee. And I had done well so far. I needed to stay strong.
Not feeling very hungry, I made my excuses to leave lunch early so I could call my parents. They had called my cell twice already, no doubt eager to know how my first day at school had gone. I walked through the thick wooden panelled double doors and began dialling. Engrossed in my actions I failed to notice the scene around me.
Thwack!
My phone dropped to the floor. Along with the contents of my bag, and books I hadn't realised I was carrying. I wasn't hurt, just surprised. It would take quite a knock to floor me.
"Sorry!" I muttered instinctively. I grabbed the phone off the floor, realising I had already got through to my mother.
"Nessie, whats going on? Is everything ok?" my mother asked, voice full of worry.
"Yeah, yeah..." I lifted my head.
For a split second everything around me was drowned out. I couldn't hear anything. My gaze was met with the most magnificent turquoise eyes. I stopped to stare before very uncharacteristically, I lost my balance and dropped my phone. Again. I felt my cheeks redden. Suddenly, I felt very self concious. It was a feeling I had never felt before. A few years ago it would have been impossible for me to even recognise the feeling.
He was stunning. He stood inches over me, with pale skin and a cute dimpled smile. His face was familiar. It was him. One of the three disinterested guys from the gym hall. I had seen him earlier. Although it was quite evident to me...I hadn't actually seen him till now.
I tried to assemble some words together when I realised my mother was still on the phone.
"Mum, I'll call you back." I continued to stare at him, my mouth was very slightly open and my mind fully aware that this moment was lasting too long for it to be comfortable. Had I ever been this awkward in my life? My breathing became unsteady. I mentally tried to reason with myself, but I was blank. Panic began to set in as I realised I wasn't saying anything, that the silence was suffocating.
"Are you ok?" He had an English accent. My heart beat increased as butterflies errupted excitedly in my stomach. His sweet voice continued "I wasn't looking where I was going. I'm so sorry. My names Ja..It's Josh. You?"
"Josh." His face creased with confusion. I couldn't believe I was being so incoherrent. This was not typical of me. I was used to being an articulate, well spoken young woman. I tripped over my tongue as I tried to correct myself.
"Ness, Ness I mean Nessie. My names Nessie. I'm the monster. I mean I'm like the monster. No wait, my name is like the monster. Loch Ness?." I was getting aggitated by my own foolishness but I felt some relief to get my name out. Although I presumed, in his mind he kind of wished he hadn't asked in the first place. I stood, temporarily mortified by my very abrupt change in behaviour. I was not used to feeling this way. I was not used to feeling self concious, or unsure. What was happening?This was not the Renessmee Cullen I had been aiming to resurrect.
Josh smiled and held his hand out. His warm fingers delicately curled around mine.
"I'm charmed to meet you"
My heart beat like a hummingbird. This felt like the beginning...