Chapter 2: Open Book

The next day was better because I was able to anticipate how awful it would be based on my previous day's experience where everyone liked me and wanted to be my friend except for one person. On this day Mike followed me around from class to class like a dog. I never really liked dogs and hadn't planned on getting one, but now I was saddled with this one I'd have to remember to buy some treats to encourage good behavior. Also, it was clear that Jessica was in love with Mike despite him being in puppy love with me, so I'd have to deal with that which would be hard because being politic is important in a town as small as this, and I've never had much tact, but you probably didn't need me to tell you that. But these were far from the worst of my problems for you see Edward wasn't in school at all. Wait—he hated me, it was awesome that he wasn't in school. But! What if he wasn't in school because he hated me? That seemed to be the most likely assumption. I know that if I were in his position, taking an immediate dislike toward a new kid at school I would probably throw away my high school education and future career opportunities just to avoid them. But I'd thought Edward would be better at future planning than me. I mean, it's pretty easy to be better than me at that, and, well, anything else.

To top all this off I also had to go grocery shopping after school because Charlie had apparently subsisted on air for the past five years, literally there was no food in his house and he had no cooking ability whatsoever. I was beginning to wonder if he had any abilities at all or if I took after him more than I realized.

At the end of the day I was waiting in my monstrous truck to get out of the parking lot when I spotted Edward's "family" driving in their silver Volvo. It was by far the nicest car in the parking lot, but it was a Volvo, I mean, come on, even I can tell you that Volvo's are the least cool car out there. As soon as you hear the word "Volvo" you immediately think of moms, not your mom, necessarily, but moms in general. And let me tell you what, it is not fun getting it on in the back seat remembering "I'm about to give up my V-card in a Volvo" and being hit with a vivid mental image of mom jeans. (Btw, I'm a virgin still.) Anyway, back to Edward's family who I spotted in their save and secure Volvo I noticed for the first time they were actually closed. They were so hot that naturally my imagination had automatically made them naked in my head. They were dressed very nicely in close that hinted at designer origins, whatever the hell that means. I realized that with their subtly fancy car, subtly fancy clothing, and reluctance to interact with any other students, it was like they were trying extra hard to blend in, but give just enough clues so that a passerby would be able to guess that maybe they were hiding something, something like the fact they were soulless models.

Suddenly I realized I'd been fixating on the Cullens so long that I'd finished the grocery shopping, put away all the groceries, and grilled a steak without even noticing. I headed up the stairs and turned on my computer to check my email. I used AOL, because that's what all us youthful teenagers use.

I had three emails, all from my mom. They say that the greater the percentage of your messages are from your mom, the cooler you are, you know. So I was damn cool. I read the first message, "Bella," my mother wrote… "Write me as soon as you get in" Not, perhaps the most natural way to write an email, especially for a woman I've already explained to you is scatterbrained and "artsy" "Is it raining?" Duh, mom, you lived here longer than I have. Of course it's raining. But I will continue to mention every other paragraph in case you or the reader forgets it rains here a bloody lot, "I miss you already. I'm almost finished packing for Florida, but I can't find my pink blouse. Do you know where I put it? Phil says hi. Mom."

Mom? Oh, she means Renee.

I quickly hit the reply and, using my two pointer fingers, slowly punched in TLDR and then clicked send. The next email, also from Renee, was titled "URGENT! RESPOND IMMIDETLU" Immidetlu? What does that mean? I clicked open and read it. Renee had written, "Why haven't you emailed me yet? Didn't you read my last message? I can't find my pink blouse! THE PINK ONE! I think the government stole it!"

I sighed and shook my head, moving on the final message, "Bella, if you haven't responded to this message by five thirty tonight, I'm assuming the government got you as well as my pink blouse. Phil and I are gearing up to storm the CIA headquarters. We're on our way, sweetie, don't worry. I won't let them brain wash you, or my pink blouse."

I looked at the clock it was four o'clock. I started my response,

"Mom, your pink blouse is in the closet with the rest of your blouses. Everything is awesome here. Of course it's raining, you stupid bitch. School isn't bad, just a little repetitive (perhaps not a good sign, since I've only been two days.) I met some kids who sit next to me in lunch no matter how many times I switch tables. More importantly I saw some hot kids who, at best don't seem to care at me, and at worst loath me with a fiery passion, I think it's best to focus on that. Dad bought me a truck, can you believe it? It's a beast and I'm already planning my rampage. Those other cars better watch out, they are toast. I miss you too but I'm not going to check my email all the time, I love you and stuff I guess, I'll talk to ya when I talk to ya (and not a second before :(

Luckily it was just before five thirty when I finished and sent the message off.

I decided to read Wuthering Heights again for the dramatic irony and was doing that when Charlie got home. When I heard his stupid cruiser pull into the driveway I ran downstairs and opened the front door for him.

"Hello, Father" I said, handing him his glass of scotch and taking his coat. He hung up his gun belt and stepped out of his boots while I flitted around the kitchen happily portraying an example of traditional gender roles that I know will be received with great approval by both society and critics alike. I remembered that as a kid, Charlie used to hide his guns from me (at least, after he found the mass squirrel grave I'd created in the back yard) but now he just left them out in the open. I guess he figured I wasn't stupid enough to shoot myself by accident—a mistake—or depressed enough to do it on purpose—another mistake.

"What's for dinner?" Charlie asked. My mom had been an "imaginative" cook, meaning she fucking sucked, and I was surprised and sad my dad could remember that far back, I thought the Alzheimer's would have set in by now. Though, of course, he could be weary of my cooking, because, let's face it, me and knives should never be in the same room.

"Steak and potatoes, cause, you know, we're manly men," I informed him.

Charlie clearly felt awkward standing in the kitchen doing nothing while I slaved away over a hot stove so he offered to help. Just kidding of course, he went into the other room and watched TV.

I called him in for dinner.

"Smells good, Bell," he said.

"Thanks," I said, "But this isn't a very interesting or important or well-written scene."

Charlie nodded in agreement, "Want to end it?" he asked.

I shook my head in disagreement, "I want this to be a looonnnggg book, so no."

We sat in silence for a while.

"Soo…"Charlie said, "Whadjou wanna talk about?"

I shrugged, "You could ask me about school."

"I don't really care."

"Well, I've made some friends. One is a girl named Jessica. And one is a dog named Mike."

Charlie's ears perked up, "Mike Newton? Let me give some exposition about him that might come in handy for the third or fourth book. He's a nice kid and his dad owns the sporting goods store in town. He makes a good living off the backpackers who come through here to feed the giant man eating bears."

"Whatever, Dad, you didn't let me finish," I hiss, "I also have not made friends with the hottest kids in school. Do you know the Cullen family?"

"Dr. Cullen's family?"

I roll my eyes, "Yeah, are Cullen family's abundant in this town?"

"Dr. Cullen's a great man."

I frown, "Well his kids don't fit in well at school at all. I think they're models, it's the only explanation that makes sense."

Dad held up his hands and chuckled, "Ho, ho, ho, Bells, let's not get crazy here, I don't think they're models. They are just exceptionally pale, good looking, smart, super-fast, super strong, outsiders with weird eyes and pointy teeth and ice-cold, rock-hard skin. Totally normal."

"They're all very attractive." I pointed out.

"You don't have to tell me," Charlie laughed, "You should see the doctor," he whistled, "Damn, that boy's fine. I tell you what, Bells, if I were ten years younger and not so obviously unable to move on from your mom I would hit that. I would hit that good."

"Da-ad," I say making two syllables and giving him my best family sitcom stop being so silly face.

That night was quiet and I slept well.

The rest of the week was uneventful, so let me relate it to you in excruciating detail. Tuesday: My friends were nice to me, Edward wasn't in school. Wednesday: My friends invited me out to dinner after school, their treat, Edward wasn't in school. Thursday: My friends bought me presents, Edward wasn't in school. Friday: My friends carried me around from class to class shouting "Make way for Bella the Great" and playing fanfare on trumpets, Edward wasn't in school.

Edward wasn't in school all week. I watched for him every day. After school I drove around town in case I could spot him hanging out around the local diner or other town location that I'm sure is here. I couldn't shake the feeling that I was responsible for his extended absence (I sure hope that turns out to actually be the case or else, god forbid, I'll end up looking like and egotistical bitch.)

The weekend happened and I went back to school next Monday. In English Mike sat next to me, as always, and we had a pop quiz on Wuthering Heights (I would very much appreciate it if you would compare my romance to the one in Wuthering Heights, because that relationship was famous…and healthy…I think.) I found the quiz very easy, because I'm smart and everything.

When I walked out of the building, Mike trailing at my heels, I was hit in the face by wet, white stuff.

"Ew," I said.

"Wow," Mike said in monotone, "It's snowing."

"Ew," I repeated.

"You don't like the snow?" Mike asked, amazed that the girl raised in Arizona was less than fond of cold weather.

"No. That means it's too cold for rain," I explained to him, as his dog mind might not be privy to the intricacies of meteorology as mine is.

Mike was about to ask me another inane question when he was smacked hard in the back of the head by a hard ball of snow and ice. I ran away.

I barrel rolled into the cafeteria to avoid the flying mush balls and got in line with mike and Jessica. They talked animatedly about the snow fight and I wondered why everyone who lived here, and had experienced snow before, were acting like little kids never before exposed to the stuff. One would think that growing up in a place where snow is not an irregularity people would appreciate the first snow of the year, but not go bonkers over it. Of course I live in Arizona, so what would I know about how normal people react to stuff. I looked at the Cullen's table out of habit (seriously, I've been at this school for a week and already I'm addicted to looking at the Cullens) and froze. There were five people there. Wait! One…two…three…four….yes, five people! (Or should I say five models, ;) I nearly passed out. Edward was here, I hadn't run him out of town after all.

Jessica, Mike, and I sat down at our usual table. I stared at the Cullens. They were talking and laughing, at my expense no doubt. I can't imagine they would be thinking about anything else. Edward wasn't glaring at me though. My heart sank with disappointment.

I was shaking in my boots when I entered the biology room, and not just from the snow. How could I face Edward again? After he looked at me funny the first day? How do you move on from that?

I sat down timidly next to him wishing I was anywhere else right now, like the cafeteria staring at him from afar.

"My name is Edward Cullen," I heard a musical voice next me say.

My mind was spinning in confusion. Who could be saying that?

"I didn't have a chance to introduce myself last week, you must be Bella Swan."

I turned my head and saw it was Edward Cullen speaking. What was he doing? He hated me.

"H-how do you know my name?"

He laughed softly, "Oh, I think everyone knows your name, Bella. We've all been waiting for you."

I knew it! I knew it! I do a little dance inside my head because I was right about Forks caring for naught but me.

"No, I meant why did you call me Bella?"

He seemed confused, but maybe that was just me, "Do you prefer Isabella?"

"No, But I think Charlie must call me Isabella behind my back, the two faced son of a bitch. Everyone has called me Isabella upon first meeting me."

"Oh," he let it drop.

It was highly suspicious. Actually, I'd been telling people to call me Bella for a week now so it was really unremarkable.

Then the teacher started to do his job. He handed out some slides for us to examine. Our lab sounded very fancy and advanced but I was a genius so I knew exactly how to do it.

"Ladies first, partner," Edward asked with a crooked smile leaving me to wonder why he'd suddenly become a cowboy.

I glanced at the microscope, "Prophase," I said like a pro-scientist.

"Let me check that," Edward said. Kinda douchy, sure, but mostly hot.

It turned out I was right. Not to be beat, Edward diagnosed the next slide without even needing the aid of a microscope. Our show-off war escalated until we were just shouting fancy words at each other.

Me, "Deoxyribonucleic acid!"

Edward, "Adiabatic system!"

Me, "Troposphere!"

Edward, "Acatalepsy!"

By the end of class we were both acutely aware of the other's impressive intelligence. I was beginning to think that we were soul mates or something. But at the end of class Edward ran out of the room as quick as he could again. I stared after him stunned. Mike walked with me to gym, talking the whole time but I didn't listen. During gym he was on my team and he covered my position for me. Did he understand how much like a dog he acted? Did I understand that just because the whole day happened I don't have to talk about it? Did I understand the concept of a time jump and that it's as easy as

The rain was just a mist as I walked to the parking lot. I was really glad that the weather had warmed up and all the snow was gone. Once inside my all-powerful pickup truck I started it and looked around to see if there was a car behind me I could run over. I spotted Edward at his Volvo staring at me. Well, that was creepy. I mean, that was sweet, very