I paid even less attention to this lecture than I had to the others. Mr. Banner was extremely predictable and had yet to say anything interesting. The school hours were almost over so I assumed that this was either the last class of the day or the next to last. Each passing minute made me even more eager to escape from this new kind of hell. I wondered how Edward could possibly do this every day. I glanced at him and saw that he was still staring at me with curiosity in his eyes. I smiled and winked at him before looking back to the front. Why is he still staring at me? I wondered.
When the bell rang I sprang happily from my seat and grabbed my bag to leave. Unfortunately, I forgot that my bag wasn't zipped up; all the books and papers I had accumulated through the day dropped out of the bag and scattered on the classroom floor. I could've caught everything before it landed, but that would have looked awfully strange to human eyes so I had been forced to allow it to land. I sighed in frustration and bent down to gather it back into the bag. I heard a chuckled and then a pair of feet entered my vision. I looked up to see Edward towering over me with a crooked smile on his face. My breath caught in my throat and my insides felt all fuzzy for some reason.
"Would you like some help?" he asked politely.
"Are you offering?" I retorted, trying to ignore the strange sensations his smile caused.
"I am," he said as he chuckled. I hate it when people laugh at my expense.
"Then I certainly could use some." He bent down next to me and began to gather my books up into his arms. I worked slowly to make sure I was left with nothing to carry. I pushed myself back up on my feet and so did he. We stood there in silence for a minute before he shifted my books and held out his hand. I stared at his hand in confusion.
"I could put them back into the backpack for you if you'd like," he offered. I nodded and handed him my bag. He placed them neatly in the bag, zipped it up and held it out for me.
"Thank you," I said, still not sure what to make of this boy. I took my bag from him and watched as he nodded and quickly left the room.
For some reason, I got the distinct impression that he was really afraid of me. It seemed harder for him to talk to me than to play rescuer. I suddenly remembered what my next class was and realized I had no time to think more about Edward's mysterious behavior. I slung the bag over my shoulder and made my way the gym. What in the world is Physical Education?
I soon found out that Physical Education was the worst class yet. The coach allowed me to watch because it was my first day and, to my horror, the rest of the class played volleyball in hideous matching uniforms they'd changed into before the class started. Apparently, I was expected to bring money to purchase the awful uniform and then actually wear it during class. I certainly look forward to that, I thought sarcastically.
Throughout the class, I kept catching the annoying boy from this morning looking at me. When the bell rang, he abandoned his team while they were putting the equipment away to come over to me. By this time, I was running low on patience and didn't want to talk to him. I concentrated on his feet and stopped him mid-step, making it look like he'd tripped over his own feet. I wanted to stay to see his expression, but I knew that John and Evelyn were probably waiting for me. I propelled myself out to the parking lot, dreading having to get back into the car and drive home, but who else would do it?
Evelyn and John were standing by the car, faithfully waiting for me like I told them to, but they were staring in another direction. What could be so interesting? I turned to see Edward flanked by four others. They were all walking toward the car I saw him looking at this morning. They must be his family, I presumed.
On either side of him were two males. On his right was a bulky, muscle-bound bear with dark curls topping his head and a leaner, more graceful blonde boy walked to his left. The dark haired bear and the blonde boy were each accompanied by girls who I could only assume were their wives. The bear was smiling down at a blond with wavy hair who walked each step as if the ground was lucky she graced it with her presence. The quieter blonde boy was watching a small, thin girl with spiky black hair as she danced through the parking lot. I noticed that all of their eyes were gold like Edward's. They're all vampires? And vegetarians, too? I had to admit that they were better looking than most vampires, but that was no reason for me to stare at them. I turned back to Evelyn and John and continued to my car.
"Let's go," I said, lightly sliding in the driver's seat. My voice snapped Evelyn and John back to reality and they quickly jumped into the car.
I started the car and took a deep breath before putting it into reverse. I looked behind me and tried to back out slowly. Apparently, I stepped on the gas too hard because it backed out much faster than I'd wanted it to. I quickly stepped on the brakes to avoid colliding with the car behind me. I let out a relieved breath before trying again, this time making sure I used less force. These pedals are way too touchy, I grumbled to myself.
I managed to get out of the parking space and faced my car toward the exit without further incident. Evelyn immediately started showering me with compliments, but, over her voice, I heard a low chuckle that I seemed to recognize. I glanced in the rearview mirror and saw Edward laughing as he got into his own car with his family. He thinks it's funny that I almost demolished a human and his car?
"What are we waiting for?" John asked beside me. I shook my head and lightly urged the car forward.
The trip home was a bit smoother than the trip to school this morning. I was beginning to learn how to brake in time when those strange lights turned red and how to maneuver my turns so that we don't end up on the sidewalk. I was a quick learner. By the time we reached the forest road that led to our mansion the only things I found still difficult were parking and pulling out of a parking space.
I stopped the car in the place it had been parked in the morning and turned off the engine. I pushed the door open and got out feeling proud of myself. The car was still in one piece and I didn't have to explain to my father that I had crashed on my first day pretending to be human.
"Wow Bella. You are a natural driver," John complimented. "Though I think the car needed to be parked a little more on the road and not in the grass." I grimaced and Evelyn smacked him on the head with her backpack.
"I think she did very well, considering she's never driven before," she added, glaring at him. I smiled and closed the door to the car.
I heard a car coming and turned to see Edward's Volvo pull into the street and park smoothly on the other side of the street. He's clearly driven before, I thought, once again cursing my father for sending me into this so unpreparedAs soon as the car pulled to a stop all four of the doors swung open and everyone stepped out. Evelyn and John stepped up and stood next to me.
Edward was the last to exit, the sound of his door slamming shut echoing off the trees surrounding us. He looked up expectantly, his eyes meeting mine instantly and his lips twitched into a smile. His familystared at me with awe, all but the blond girl who glared at me with her arms crossed over her chest. How dare she? She obviously has no idea who I am, I thought, not at all used to such hostility from our kind.
"He's coming over here," Evelyn whispered in my ear. I tore my gaze from the haughty blonde to see that she was right. Edward walked across the street with his eyes on me and for the slightest moment I saw his eyes dart over to my car. So he's interested in cars.
"I see you and the car are unharmed," he chuckled.
"Why wouldn't I be?" I asked, slightly annoyed at what his question implied.
"Well, you aren't exactly the best driver I've ever seen," he teased. Evelyn tensed and retreated, pulling a protesting John with her. She knew all too well that smart comments are one of my biggest pet peeves and that, after a day like today, I would have an even shorter temper than usual.
"Is that so?" I asked coldly. "Well, I thank you for your concern." I turned and locked my car before storming into the forest to my house.
"Bella, what did I say?" he yelled, running after me. I ignored him and sped up.
When I reached the mansion, the doors swung open to admit me. I entered and turned around quickly, slamming the door in his face. I sighed and leaned against the door, looking around the entry hall. Banners and flowers told me that the residents had had a celebration in mind, but no one was there now so I guessed that Evelyn warned them that I wasn't in the mood. In fact, I didn't pass anyone as I headed upstairs to my room.
If Father thinks I'm putting myself through that ever again, he had better think again
Author's Note: REVIEW! Press the lavender button and you will know that you helped write the next chap.