Disclaimer: Once again I own nothing related to Twilight.
Chapter 2:
As we pulled into the small school parking lot, I turned slightly towards my daughter trying to catch a glimpse of her face. She was staring anxiously out the window, her pale forehead resting against the cool glass. She had been calm throughout the short fifteen minute drive into town but as we had neared the school, her heart rate had increased drastically. I could hear it clearly, a soft, quick rhythm, faster than that of a humming bird's. I cleared my throat softly, throwing a meaningful glance towards the front seat Jasper occupied. Immediately a blanket of calm surrounded us, and I was relieved to hear Nessie's heart slow down to its normal pace.
Edward pulled smoothly into a parking space near the front door, before cutting the engine on our new suburban. With the seven of us in school there was no possible way we could all fit into the Volvo. I climbed out gracefully, and turned to grab Edward's marble hand.
The sense of ease and tranquility followed us as we weaved our way through the crowded main hallway, our destination being the office. I was used to the stares and whispers, but Renesme wasn't. I listened intently, focusing on her heartbeat alone, trying to gauge her reaction to the entire gawking student body. I was relieved to hear the steady fluttering of her heart-no faster than usual- and was once again grateful for Jasper's gift.
As we entered the small office I had a sudden feeling of déjà vu. The small space was taken up by a short row of folding chairs, and a large gray desk. Behind the desk a kind-looking woman tapped away at a whirring computer behind a small name plate announcing her as Ms.Wyler. She wore a thick wool sweater; her light brown hair highlighted with gray was pulled back into sloppy bun. She smiled when we entered, glancing up automatically. Her expression faltered, as her eyes widened incredulously at our beauty. I sighed softly before stepping closer to the front desk, pulling Edward with me.
"Hi," I said, smiling brightly. Too late, I realized that flashing my extremely white, venomous teeth (although she didn't quite know they were venomous) may not exactly help her recover from the shock.
"Uh…hi" she managed to stutter, before trying to rearrange her features into a kind smile once more. She didn't quite succeed; her eyes still had a dazed, bewildered look.
"How can I help you?" She seemed intent on treating us like all of the other students. My smile widened, at least she was trying.
"We're new students here," I explained, keeping my voice light and casual.
"Names?" she asked turning towards her computer.
"We aren't registered yet." I answered, "But we have our papers and transcripts." I added quickly before she could protest.
"Alright. I will need to see them." She consented nodding to herself. I held my hand out to Edward, who slid the bundle of official-looking papers into my hand. Her eyes bulged as she studied Edward's face, her smile completely sliding off her face. I didn't need to read minds to understand what she was thinking. I could understand her awe and admiration only too well. I felt the emotion in the room shift, as her anxiety and shock were instantly replaced by calm. I smirked; apparently Ms.Wyler had just been subjected to Jasper's convenient little talent.
"I am going to need to see your birth certificates and records from your last school." She said, avoiding eye contact all together. I passed her our new "birth certificates" that I had purchased from J just six weeks ago. She scanned them quickly and entered the information on her computer.
"So
where are you all from?" She asked inquiringly, continuing to avert
her eyes.
"Forks, Washington." Jasper answered, smiling
slightly. She nodded, still focused on her computer screen.
"You're a long way from home," She murmured.
"Yes, we are." Jasper agreed.
"Can I see your records?" She asked, holding out her hand without turning toward us.
"Of course!" I said, giving her the papers Emmett and Alice had forged, saying we were transfers from Forks High School. She entered that information in her computer as well, before opening up a file labeled Junior schedules.
"Who are the juniors?" she asked hesitantly, turning to face us slowly.
"Jasper, Rosalie and Emmett," I said, pointing to each of them as I mentioned their name. She nodded, tearing her eyes from their faces, before pressing the print button three times.
"And who are the sophomores?" she continued, as she retrieved the freshly printed pages.
"Edward, Alice and myself." I answered, as Edward and Alice both waved. She didn't even look up as she opened another file and printed three more schedules.
"And Renesme is a freshman." I explained before she could ask.
"Renesme." She repeated curiously, as she printed a different schedule, "What an interesting name. It's pretty though." She risked a fleeting look at my daughter's flushed face.
"Yeah, it is," Renesme mumbled, glancing at me.
"Well hear you are." The secretary said, passing us our schedules, "You can choose any of the empty lockers down the hall."
I glimpsed down at my schedule, going over the courses. How ironic, I thought smiling to myself, my first class was English.
"Um, well, that is everything," Ms.Wyler announced, "If you have any problems feel free to come and see me."
"Thank you," Alice said, beaming. The secretary glanced up, startled by Alice's voice. She looked from Alice to Edward, her unfocused eyes lingering on his face longer than was strictly necessary.
"Uh, yeah, your welcome." She muttered edging towards the door at the back of the room, labeled Teacher's Lounge. Alice's grin widened, as she turned gracefully, caught Jasper's hand and flitted from the room. Rosalie, Emmett and Renesme filed out after them, leaving just as gracefully. I was about to leave too when I noticed Edward was not with me. I turned around quickly, an irrational panic threatening to engulf me. He had not moved an inch. He stood frozen in the same spot, a look of concentration on his perfect face as he scanned his new timetable.
"One moment please Bella," He murmured, much too low for Ms.Wyler's ears.
"Excuse me," he said politely to the receptionist. She was hovering by the lounge door, clearly debating whether or not to flee. She glanced up involuntarily, as though she couldn't help but respond to his voice-and to be honest, I was pretty sure that was exactly the case. She settled for staring at the small part of skin, at the base of his throat exposed by the V-neck of his thick sweater, instead of risking looking him in the eye.
"Yes?" she answered meekly.
"Well you see I have a problem with my schedule," he explained, his velvet voice unintentionally seductive. I could clearly hear the poor lady's heart miss a beat before breaking into a sprint.
"Oh?" she managed to choke out. Edward waited patiently, clearly wanting her to look up. She met his steady gaze resignedly, almost unwillingly, as though she would somehow be giving in. In my peripheral vision I saw the corners of Edward's mouth twitch, like he was fighting a smile. The movement was so infinitesimal, that anyone who didn't know him as well as I do would never have noticed. He lowered his gaze, hiding beneath his long lashes, before releasing the full power of his smoldering eyes on the unprepared receptionist.
"You see Bella is new to our family," he explained, his soft voice irresistible. "And since we aren't in the same classes, I think she might find this transition harder."
I nodded timidly. I was going for more of a shy, demure kind of look but I just felt pretty pathetic.
"I think Bella would be more comfortable and secure in her new school if she started with at least one friend in her classes." Edward continued, flashing my favourite crooked grin.
"Of-of course," she stuttered, her breathing uneven. She began typing away fervently, before printing another class schedule. She gave it to Edward hastily without saying another word. I smiled in thanks, before heading for the exit, Edward's smooth, marble hand clasped tightly in mine.
When we were finally out in the empty hallway, I turned to face him.
"More comfortable and secure?" I asked him sarcastically, rolling my eyes.
"Why yes, we don't want to make this any harder on you," he said, his topaz eyes solemn. I laughed softly, delighting in the sound. Even after all this time, I was still thrilled with my soft, appealing laugh.
"You know if she has a heart attack right now it is your fault entirely!" I told him sternly, trying to be severe.
"Not entirely. She had some pretty vivid fantasies herself."
"Oh? Is that what was so amusing? What was she thinking about anyways?" I asked teasingly, squeezing his hand. We were almost at the end of the hallway where the rest of our family was picking out their lockers.
"Me," he answered snickering.
I raised my eyebrows in confusion. I didn't see where the humor was in that.
"She was having thoughts about me," he clarified, his liquid eyes bright, "Highly inappropriate thoughts, considering the fact that she believes I am only sixteen."
I decided I did not want to know what those thoughts were.
Hey guys! Sorry it took so log to update! I hope you guys like it and I will try and get the third chapter up a.s.a.p!! Please review and let me know what you guys think! I love hearing your opinions! A special thanks to lenny85!! I am always forgetting to indent my paragraphs (it drives my English teacher crazy!!) so thanks for the reminder!! I hope this is better!
Princess Ly