A/N: Ok sorry it took way longer than I expected but I had a little writers block then got inspired and went crazy! Which is good cause now its really long.
Ok I imagine Bella short. Like only a few inched taller than Alice.
I was surprised to see Edward at school Monday. During lunch Edward was looking at me like he had my first day, curiously. I wasn't about to have a staring contest with him so I started eating my lunch.
"So Bella, are you going to the party at Lauren's on Saturday? Her parents are gone for the weekend. We are throwing it after the varsity basketball game against our biggest rivals in Port Angeles. It should be great!" Jessica asked cheerfully.
"Um, I didn't know there was one. I don't know if I should. I don't want to get into trouble with Charlie especially since he's the Chief and strictly speaking I'm not allowed to go," I said debating.
"Oh come on! You were a regular party girl back in Phoenix. Hell, you got arrested! You broke your probation! If you're so bad ass then prove it and come to the party," Lauren bit in. I knew she hated. She and Jessica were the Mean Girls of Forks High. I wasn't going to be sucked into their world of gossip and bitchiness. I shouldn't be sucked in by their peer pressure, but sadly I was. I didn't want to go back to rumors and taunting. The things people said…I shuddered at the memories.
I came to a consensus; I would go but not drink. "Fine. I'll go," I said dismissively, getting up and walking to Biology a half hour early. While I was walking I pulled out my iPod hoping some Classical music might calm me down.
I was frustrated and pissed off with myself. I sat down in my seat, resting my elbows on the table and putting my head in my hands. I couldn't imagine if the party got busted by the police. Surely Charlie would either be there or find out. It was thinking about that, that I remembered what my mom had told me about Charlie and his abusive behavior and short temper. Angry and self pitying tears stung my eyes. I was torn between fitting in and avoiding Charlie's past and possible present.
Charlie hadn't cared to lay down any ground rules and didn't seem to care about how or what I was doing anyway. As long as the party was somewhat low key, he would never find out. I could take an angry Charlie, but a school full of people spreading rumors and constant taunting...I would rather not face that again.
I was shaken out of my internal battle by the chair next to me moving. I raised my head to see who sat down next to me. It was still early for class so it could have been anyone. I was somewhat shocked to see Edward sitting next to me. His gold eyes bright and still curious. Wait…Gold eyes? I returned his curious look.
His gaze left my and focused on my iPod. "Debussy fan?" he asked.
I took a second to listen to the song playing. Clair de Lune. A smile crept across my face, my battle forgotten for the moment. "Yeah, you listen to him?" I asked.
"Yes, he's one of my favorites," he returned the smile, only his was much more dazzling than mine.
"Me too. Clair de Lune is one of my favorites…Even though it reminds me of the end of Ocean's 11," I said thinking of the movie.
He chuckled. "I know what you mean," his crooked smile made my heart melt. Whoa…where did that come from?
The class started filing in and Mr. Banner walked to the front of the room. Once the class was in their seats he gave us instructions for our lab we were doing today. Edward and I breezed through it since I had done it before and he was smart.
"So how do you like Forks so far?" Edward asked when we were done.
"I like it a lot. It's hard trying to get Charlie to even say two words to me though," I didn't know what compelled me to say that last part.
"Why?" Edward asked.
"I wish I knew. It probably has something to do with the trouble I got into that caused me to move here," I shrugged.
"I heard about that," Edward said sheepishly. I wanted to drop the subject. I regretted bringing it up in the first place.
"So are you going to Lauren's party Saturday?" I asked.
"I doubt it. Jessica stopped me this morning to invite me," Edward said.
"Yeah," I agreed not wanting to reveal that I was going.
Luckily for me the bell rang. I gathered up my things and walked out of the class room…well almost. Just as I was about to walk through the door I tripped on me feet. I braced myself for impact, but two hands caught me and stood me up straight again. I turned to see Edward laughing at me. I gave him a half hearted glare and thanked him, walking out of the class to gym. I thought back to his laugh as I suited up. I wanted to try and make him laugh more often.
/\/\/\/\
On Thursday, Angela and Jessica sat down to lunch with me.
"Hey Bella, do you want to go to Port Angeles tonight with Angela and I? We are going to get new outfits for the party," Jessica asked.
"Sure, I could use a new outfit," I smiled. "I'll drive. Pick you guys up at three? We can go to dinner when we're done," I offered.
"Angela and I are going to drive down separately, we have to go help Lauren get some supplies for the party, so we are meeting her when we are done," Jessica said poking at her school lunch. Angela looked at me apologetically.
"That's fine. I wanted to go to a book store anyway. You guys wouldn't want to wait around for me to do that," I said, unfazed by Jessica's comment.
"Oh, sure. So we will meet you in the parking lot in front of Nordstrom's at three thirty," Jessica said.
"Ok, sounds good. I'm going to go call Charlie and let him know. I'll see you guys later," I said getting up and walking into the court yard. Truthfully, I just needed to get away from Jessica. She was trying her hardest to get me to be jealous of her. It wasn't working, but it was doing a good job of pissing me off.
I dialed Charlie's cell phone. "Hello?" Charlie answered on the fourth ring.
"Hey, Ch-dad. I was hoping it would be ok if I went to Port Angeles to go shopping after school. There aren't many decent book stores here and I really need something new. I wouldn't be back too late, I promise," I said.
Charlie hesitated. "Ok, Bells. But I want you home by eight at the latest," I was surprised at Charlie's fatherly tone.
"Okay. There is some leftover spaghetti from last night you can heat up for dinner."
"Thanks, Bella. I'll see you tonight."
"Bye," I said hanging up the phone.
I walked over to a bench that was butted up a large tree trunk and sat down, leaning my back against the tree. I was lost in thought when I felt someone sit down next to me. I turned my head and saw Edward looking at me intensely.
"Hey," I said casually.
"Needed to get away from the crowd?" he asked.
"I don't know why I hang out with them. I can't stand the constant gossip and bitching," I said flustered.
"Then don't hang out with them," Edward suggested.
I looked over at him. "It's not that easy. And Angela is nice. So is Ben."
"That's two people out of a much larger group," Edward pointed out.
"True…but sitting with them is better than by myself."
"You could sit with someone else."
I laughed lightly. "Yeah? Who?"
Edward looked around as if trying to find someone. Then he sighed. "I would be willing to sit with you, Bella."
I laughed again. "Hmm. I don't know. I mean, I can actually have a conversation with you without having to talk about the latest scandal. Hell, I like talking to you," I was silent for a moment drawing out my answer. Edward laughed at my antics. "I guess I could sit with you." I smiled.
The bell rang and I gathered my things to go to Biology. Edward didn't move. I raised my eyebrow in question. "Aren't you coming?" I asked.
"Sometimes it's healthy to skip class," he answered.
"I couldn't agree with you more, but this is a small town and I don't need my dad finding out. See you later. And don't forget, you are saving me from a half hour of painful conversation by sitting with me somewhere else tomorrow," I reminded him pointing a finger in his direction and walking backwards. That was a mistake. I tripped over a tree root and started falling backwards. Edward ran quickly to my side, grabbing me around the waist and pulling me upright.
"I think it would be safer if you walked forward," he teased, smiling his crooked smile. "And I promise not to forget."
I blushed in embarrassment, "Right. Well, I'm going to be late. See you later." I turned to walk to Biology. I made it in the room just in time for the bell to ring. I sat down in my seat and Mr. Banner started talking about what we were doing today. Blood typing. I paled as he explained what we had to do and did an example with one of the students. I could smell the nauseating rusty, salty smell of blood. I put my head in my hands and tried to take deep breaths. That only made it worse.
I hadn't noticed everything had been passed out until the smell overpowered me. I closed my eyes. I must have fainted because when I opened my eyes I was on the floor with Mr. Banner, Mike, and Angela kneeling over me.
"Are you alright Bella?" Mike asked.
Mr. Banner started talking before I had the chance to answer. "Mike, could you please escort Bella down to the nurse's office? Do you think you can walk Bella?"
"Yeah, I think so," I said slowly sitting up. The room spun, but I stood. I grabbed onto the table to steady myself. It didn't help. I leaned on Mike and we started towards the nurse's office.
Mike was struggling to support my weight as we walked. I couldn't help but feel bad for him. One, he had to take me down to the nurse's office because I couldn't stand on my own, and two, he could barely support my weight. I was only one hundred and ten pounds.
"Mike, just let me sit for a moment. I'm really dizzy," I said pulling away from him and laying down on the ground.
"Bella, we should really get you to the nurse. You are looking really green," Mike protested.
"Would you rather I puke all over you?" I asked closing my eyes and bringing my hands up to cover my eyes.
"Not really," he mumbled.
"Then just let me take a minute to make the spinning stop," I told him.
"Mike, why don't you let me take Bella to the office," I heard a familiar voice say.
"But Mr. Banner told me to do it," Mike argued.
"Go grab her stuff and bring it to the office then. I will take her to the nurse."
I opened my eyes a little and saw Edward bending down to pick me up. Mike grumbled and walked back to class. I closed my eyes again, as the dizziness returned.
"No, don't pick me up. The spinning has to stop first," I told him.
"Fine, I'll give you another minute, but then I'm taking you to the nurse. You look deathly pale," Edward commented. "So you faint at the sight of blood?" he asked.
"Not always, but most of the time, yes. Ok, I think it's safe for me to move," I said sitting up. I moved to fast and things started to whirl again. I put my head back in my hands. Edward started to rub my back which helped a little. I slowly stood up. As soon as I was up my legs turned to jelly and I started to fall. Edward caught me. He put one arm under my knees and the other supported my back, and he picked me up as if I was weightless. "I can walk," I protested.
"Bella, you can barely stand up, now just let me get you to the office and I will put you down," Edward said stubbornly. From talking to him all week, I knew it was pointless to argue with him, so I rested my head on his shoulder as he carried he to the nurse.
"Oh my! What happened?" I heard someone, who must have been the nurse exclaim.
"She fainted in Biology," Edward told her.
"Oh. There's always one every year," the nurse said in a calm voice. She handed me a damp cloth to put on my fore head. It worked, my stomach settled and the room stopped spinning. Mike walked into the room to give me my stuff.
"Thanks Mike," I said kindly to his retreating form.
"Sure Bella," he replied, walking out of the office.
"Feeling better?" Edward asked.
"Much," I said sitting up and hopping off the cot. I moved too fast and the room started to spin again, but not as bad as last time. I as about to fall, but Edward, once again, caught me. I leaned my head against his shoulder with my eyes closed until the spinning stopped.
"How about now?" Edward asked, chuckling.
"Yes. Got to remember to move slower," I mumbled, a little embarrassed.
"What class do you have next?" he asked.
"Gym," I groaned, pulling away from him. I was a little sad at the loss of contact, but pushed it aside.
"You should probably skip it if you're still feeling dizzy," Edward smirked, knowing I would have no problem with it.
"No arguments there. I'm enough of a klutz as it is. But if Charlie found out I skipped he would be infuriated," I shuddered slightly. Edward furrowed his brow at my shudder. Charlie had said one of the agreements of me moving here was I had to attend all of my classes unless I had a good excuse, like I was sick. I guess you could count now as sick, but I still didn't want to risk it.
"What if I got you excused from gym?" Edward suggested. We were whispering so the nurse wouldn't hear us. She looked at us suspiciously.
"If you can do it. I mean I know you can dazzle me, but can you dazzle a teacher?" I realized too late that I had said too much and blushed.
Edward smiled crookedly. My heart sped up with embarrassment and because he was dazzling me again. "I dazzle you?" he asked, grinning.
I blushed again but answered truthfully, "Frequently. Now go dazzle my way out of gym please," I pushed him towards the main desk where Mrs. Cope sat reading a book. I had a hard time telling, but I think it was a romance. I giggled quietly from behind Edward. He turned around and smiled like he knew what I was laughing about.
Edward walked up to the front desk and leaned forward towards Mrs. Cope.
"What can I help you with Edward?" Mrs. Cope asked kindly. She smiled at him but when she looked at me she glared.
"Bella is still feeling a bit dizzy from fainting and I don't think it's a good idea if she goes to Gym next hour. I should probably get her home," Edward said smiling.
His dazzling worked. Mrs. Cope grabbed a clip board and scribbled something on it. "Will you need an excuse too?" she asked him.
"Yes, I don't think Bella should be driving," Edward said glancing at me. I blushed and turned to look at my feet.
"You two are all set then," Mrs. Cope said, dismissing us.
Edward picked up my things for me, and put his hand on the small of my back, ushering me out of the warm building. It was cold outside and I shivered. Edward kept walking when we got to the parking lot.
"Where are you going?" I asked.
"You don't really think I', going to let you drive after you fainted today, do you?" he asked.
I made it look like I was thinking really hard about my answer. "Uh, yeah, I do," I said going to grab my stuff from him.
"Bella, really. How would it look if the Police Chief's daughter got a ticket?" he asked.
"Edward! I had plans after school. I cleared them with Charlie and everything. He isn't going to let me go out often and he's given me time, so I plan to use it!" I complained.
"What were your plans?" he asked.
"I was going shopping for the party in Port Angeles with Angela and Jessica," I said.
"Bella, you do know what goes on at those parties don't you?" he asked.
I raised my eyebrows.
"Right, stupid question."
"Edward, how bad can it be? It's a small town!"
"Fine. Anyway, who's driving to Port Angeles?
"I'm driving myself. Angela and Jessica have to bail out early. And I wanted to get something to eat there since there isn't much around here, so I decided just to stick around after they left," I shrugged like it was no big deal…which it wasn't.
"Bella, you are in no condition to drive," Edward argued.
"Well too bad 'cause I am," I said making a grab for my bag. Edward pulled it just out of my reach. I tried again and he held the bottom of my bag so it was harder for me to grab. Edward was tall so I had to jump for the bag. I touched the bottom of it, but he quickly moved it out of my reach.
"Not if I can help it," Edward laughed at me trying to grab the bag.
"Damn it! I hate being short! Just give me the bag Edward, please," I gave him puppy dog eyes.
"Oh, nice try, but it's not going to work on me," he grinned at me. I was surprisingly having fun, but I really wanted to go use the guilt money my mom put into my account and buy some new clothes.
"Edward, please. I really, really want to go. Please. You can even drive me, just let me go!" I pleaded.
The playful smile was gone from his face and he sighed. "Fine, I'll drive, but my siblings have to get home somehow so we have to take your car," he resented, handing over my bag to me.
I grinned. "Thank you!" I took the bag and gave him a hug in all of my excitement. He stiffened for a second then returned it. I pulled away and took out my keys tossing them to him. He caught them easily and unlocked the car. I threw my bag in the back and got into the passenger seat.
"Step on it Jeeves," I told Edward. He laughed and pulled out of the parking lot.
A/N: Ok I debated going longer on this chapter, but decided you guys needed something right now so here it is! I will try and get the next chapter up before I leave to visit my sister. But I will be really busy getting ready for school and doing last minute summer stuff so please be patient. My other story Everybody's Changing isn't forgotten, I am just debating on how to make the next chapter go. It will probably be awhile before I get the next chapter of that story up but this one will be up faster! I promise to write on the plane and while I'm gone too!
Reviews please! I am more likely to update faster if I get them!! Suggestions always welcome!