BPOV
Over the next couple of weeks, the weather was very nice and for a few days it was even sunny for a while. But Edward, Alice, Jasper, and the other Cullens were absent for most of those particularly nice days, and Alice called me one evening to tell me they were going hiking and camping while the weather was nice. I couldn't blame them, even I, who was never an outdoorsy sort of person, found myself daydreaming about being outdoors while it lasted.
Angela and I were quickly becoming close friends, and she introduced me to her boyfriend, Ben. He seemed to be a really nice guy. I also seemed to run into Mike Newton quite often, and he sat with me and Angela at lunchtime.
On Friday it was still sunny outside. When I walked outside to go to school, I paused on the porch for a moment, taking in the warm sunlight and morning air. With a grin on my face, I almost skipped to my truck. On the way there, I fiddled around with the radio and found that it actually worked. Humming along to the music, I pulled into the parking lot next to Angela's parked car.
She and Ben were leaning against it, talking quietly. They looked up when I jumped out, still smiling, and Angela said,
"Hey Bella!" Ben grinned at me and kissed Angela quickly before hurrying off to meet his friends. Angela and I walked together to English.
I found that I couldn't focus, and my eyes kept straying to the window, where sunlight poured in and leaves waved invitingly in the slight breeze. Doodling absently on my notebook, where I'd only written a few sentences, I jumped when the bell rang. Angela came over to wait while I quickly stuffed my things into my bag. As I pushed my notebook in, Angela said,
" Bella, what do you say we go to Port Angeles after school? It's Friday after all, and I feel…like getting out. You know?"
I knew what she meant. The beautiful weather was putting everyone, even the teachers, into an unusually good mood. I smiled at her and slung my bag over my shoulder.
"Sure. I'll have to go home and drop off my bag and leave a note for Char- my dad, though."
We talked animatedly about it on our way out the door, then we parted ways and I headed off to Government. As I sat down, I noticed Alice's absence yet again. I sighed and pulled out my books reluctantly. The whole hour, I sat there, scribbling down random notes, and drifting in and out of daydreams. Once, I even feel asleep for a couple minutes, before the bell rang, and I jumped into consciousness. Blushing, I slowly gathered my stuff and went to Trig.
The rest of the morning dragged on, and I was glad when the bell rang and Angela and I headed to the cafeteria. As we sat down with our trays, Mike sauntered over and sat at our table. Ben joined us in a moment and soon had claimed Angela's attention. I squirmed a little as I picked at my salad, aware that Mike was watching me.
"Um, so…how was your day so far?"
Mike immediately launched into the story of his morning, and I tried to pay attention, to no avail. I found myself staring out the window again, wishing it was the weekend.
"Bella? Bells…" Someone shook my arm gently.
I sat up quickly, looking around. " Huh? What? "
I had fallen asleep. I blushed and looked apologetically at Mike, who looked a bit disgruntled but amused at the same time. Angela and Ben were staring at me and Angela's hand on my arm.
"I…I'm sorry. I guess I just sort of…dozed off." I yawned and pushed my hair out of my face. My hand brushed against something.
I frowned and pulled a piece of lettuce out of my hair. Blushing harder and stood to dump my tray as Mike and Ben roared with laughter and Angela followed me out, grinning. I looked at her.
"Oh shut it." Even I had to smile a little.
I walked to Biology alone, and I notice Edward's absence as I sat at my empty table. After Biology and Gym, I trudged out into the parking lot, sporting a bruised arm I'd gotten myself when I tripped over someone's foot during the game of basketball.
Angela and I had made arrangements that she would come over and pick me up in about a half hour. I drove home and went to get ready. Fifteen minutes later, I came back downstairs to find Angela pulling into the driveway. I waved, scribbled a note to Charlie, and ran outside.
Closing the door behind me, I slowed my breathing and smiled, regaining my good spirits.
We turned up the radio and sang along crazily, breaking into fits of laughter in the middle. Time passed quickly and I was surprised to see we were already on the edges of town. We drove around for a few moments before deciding on a small clothing store. Angela informed me that there was an upcoming dance and she wanted to check out some dresses.
Following her inside, I swallowed hard and frowned a little. There was no way I was going to a dance. Even if someone did ask me, I wouldn't go. I shuddered at the thought. Dancing.
After a few dresses, a light blue one that came down to her knees; a pale pink one that was kind of off-the-shoulders; and a sparkly lavender one, Angela decided on a slightly long, dark, purple one. It looked really nice on her and I told her so. As she browsed for shoes, I looked around the store idly. There was no way I would wear any of these. Ever.
I helped Ang pick out shoes and accessories and then she paid for them. I walked out to wait in the car. The door closing behind me with a small jingle of bells, I walked along the sidewalk to the car. I was just starting to get a little dark out, and the lights were flickering on and traffic picking up.
I closed the car door behind me and waited, tapping my foot softly. After about five minutes, Angela came out, put her purchases in the back seat, and climbed into the front, grinning. I smiled at her and turned up the heater a bit.
"So where should we go now?" My stomach growled loudly and Angela laughed at me. " Guess that answers that."
Angela ended up pulling into the parking lot of a medium-sized restaurant she told me had really good food. I took her word for it, not really knowing any of the places around here. We stepped out into the evening air and walked quickly to the door. After we sat down in a booth and ordered our food, I was fiddling around with my napkin, bored, when Angela said,
"You didn't buy a dress?" I gulped.
"Er…no. Not yet, anyway." I made a mental note to get Alice's advice as soon as she got back.
" Bella! You are coming to the dance, right?" I hesitated.
"Ang, I just…don't dance." I chuckled and shook my head. She frowned at me.
"C'mon, it'll be fun! Mike told Ben that he was going to ask you."
I struggled not to cringe. I made another mental note to avoid Mike until after the dance. " I think I'll just stay home. I'm really not up to going to a dance… And I can't dance anyway!" I scratched my neck and sighed as the waitress brought our food.
Angela dropped the subject for now, and started eating. I ate slowly, staring out the window. It was now dusk, and not very many people were walking. An "Open "sign on a bar across the street flickered and went out.
I suddenly felt the urge to take a walk outside, and Angela was still eating now, reading a magazine she'd brought. I hurried to eat what was left on my plate, left money on the table for Angela to pay for the food, and said, " Hey, Ang, I'm gonna take a short walk. Be back in 10 minutes, okay?"
"Alright…" She said, looking up. " Be careful, though, Bella."
"Yeah…" I mumbled, walking to the door. I pushed it open, the now slightly cold night air hitting my face. I looked around. Cars sped by, and a couple walked slowly down the sidewalk on the right side of the door. I turned left and strolled aimlessly down a few stores. Most of them were closed, but a small café and a hardware store. I turned the corner and continued on. It gradually got darker, and I frowned and turned back. I should probably go back now, Angela will be worried.
I started back to the corner, but as I neared it, I heard footsteps. Turning, I gasped quietly and my face pulled up into a grin without my permission. Edward and Emmett Cullen stood a ways along the sidewalk. Emmett grinned back and waved. Edward smiled a little. He looked a bit worried. I turned back and walked to them.
"Hey," I said, pushing my hands into my sweater pockets.
"Hi…" Edward murmured, meeting my gaze for an instant before looking away distractedly. Emmett started walking towards the way I'd been going. Edward followed him, and I joined the two of them.
"Are you here alone?" Edward asked. Something in his voice made me a bit uneasy, though I didn't know why.
"No, I'm here with Angela. I should actually be heading back to her now; I just went for a little walk while she finished eating."
Emmett said, " Oh, okay… Seeya."
I waved to them both and turned to go. I heard whispering behind me, and when I turned back around, they were gone. Frowning a little, I made my way back to Angela's car. She was standing next to it, looking upset. When she caught sight of me, she said,
"Bella! There you are. I was just going to go look for you."
"Sorry. I took longer than I thought I guess…"
The drive home was quieter than the drive there, but we still listened to the radio and talked every now and then. It wasn't a stony silence, or an awkward silence. Angela was a restful person to be around and the silences were natural-feeling.
As we pulled up to my house, I saw a flicker of movement by the trees. I strained my eyes for a moment, trying to see in the darkness. I shrugged it off and said good night to Angela. As she drove away, I hurried up to the steps, looking behind me. A chill ran up my spine, and the moon went behind a cloud. Looks like the normal weather is back. I thought grimly, opening the door.
When I turned to close it, I saw something out of the corner of my eye. I shivered and slammed the door shut.