Chapter 2: Terror
Jessica was babbling on about something that I stopped listening to minutes ago. I sat down with her at their table, not eating. I pulled the sleeve of my sweater to further conceal my entire arm. There was just something in my dark past that I didn't want to be reminded of in any way. If I ever was, I would never be able to handle it. I still have nightmares.
I had to get my mind off it. I looked around, out of boredom when something caught my eye: five students who were isolated in one table. They didn't look like they were talking to each other. It didn't look like either of them touched their food. But that wasn't what I was staring for. Sure, it perplexed me, but that wasn't why.
They all looked pale, if not sickly. And yet, they were all… the word, 'beautiful,' couldn't even begin to describe their appearance. One of the girls was blonde, and one of the most stunning women I'd ever seen… No, she was the most beautiful person I'd ever seen. The other girl had short black, spiky hair and reminded me of a pixie. One of the boys was tall and extremely muscular with black curly hair and the other was also tall, but not as muscular and honey blonde. But the last one…
I examined the last boy with detail. His facial features were perfectly angular –high cheekbones, strong jaw line, straight nose, and full lips. From afar, his eyes looked… topaz. His hair was an unusual bronze color, and looked a bit messy, but still nice. My observation was interrupted by a hand on my shoulder, shaking me.
"Bella, are you listening to me?" Jessica demanded. "I'm sorry," I faced her, "I wasn't really paying attention…" She looked to the direction that I was facing earlier. "Oh," she said in a tone that made me slightly blush, "You were staring at them, weren't you?" They way she said 'them,' made it obvious that she knew who I was staring at. I nodded.
"They're the Cullens," she pointed to them individually, "Rosalie, Alice, Emmett, Jasper, and Edward." Edward, huh? "They were all adopted by Dr. Cullen and his wife," she continued. "Really?" I said, catching myself staring again… at the one named Edward. I couldn't understand why, but I was deeply intrigued by him.
Then he suddenly turned and looked at me, his piercing gaze intimidating. I looked down immediately, my cheeks flushing. "Edward Cullen's staring at you," Jessica told me. "I know," I replied, "Wait… still?" "Uh huh." "Oh no," I hid in my arms. I was never good at dealing with people staring. "The Cullens don't like anybody, so you have nothing to worry about," I could almost hear her smiling. Was my irrational fear that obvious?
Just then, the bell rang. I hurried to get to class and get away from that intense glare. Biology, a subject that I was looking forward to. Mr. Banner signed my paper and pointed to where my seat was. Someone up there, in heaven, must have had it in for me, because I looked to see the boy named Edward sitting beside my empty seat. Oh no.
My grip on my crutches tightened as I pulled myself down the aisle and sat beside him. I placed my crutches against the side of the table and fished my biology books out of my bag. I flinched at a metallic sound. I looked to see that he had moved his chair as far away from me as possible. As Mr. Banner began his lesson, Edward tensed and his jaw tightened. But his actions weren't what frightened me.
It was his eyes. Earlier I could have sworn that his eyes were topaz. Now, they were as black as coal. They had a blood lust in them. A murderous glare in them that reminded me of… of… Rachel and Bill. It hurt to say their names. My trauma was never going to leave me, ever. I couldn't stand it. I had to get away. I only had one secret weapon on my side: sympathy.
"Mr. Banner!" I called, desperate. "Yes, Isabella?" he turned immediately. I felt many pairs of eyes on me as I begged, "My leg… it hurts… Can I go to the clinic, please?" False agony showed on my face, mixed with desperation. "Of course," he said, gesturing to the door. "Thank you," I got up, ignoring my books, and hastily walked to the door. When I was at the doorframe, I stopped. I looked back to see if he still had that vicious expression on his face. His face changed, now staring at me with confusion.
"I'll have someone give you your books later," Mr. Banner said, "Just go." I continued on my way. It was a good thing he was foolish enough not to realize that I had no idea where I was going. How could I? But that wasn't important to me right now. I just needed to get away, and I was successful. Now I just needed to hold out until classes were over. I mean, like I would participate in Gym with my condition.
I headed to the administrative building to call for my ride home. I was in no hurry, so by the time I would get there it would be dismissal.