New Girl

I didn't know how long Edward had been gone. With no sun, I didn't know the time of day, and with nothing important to look forward to, I never saw the time on the clock. Each day brought another pain, more crying, and less sleep. I could think about the past and locking away my memory was so hard. I simply couldn't do it.

My eyes looked over to the board. Today was Thursday November 21 and the class was Biology 3. The teachers name was Ms. Jenkins and a small part of me remembered her teaching skills. I never paid attention anymore and was surprised to be keeping up with the class.

I looked to the window and saw no Edward next to me, only snow coving the ground outside.

Had I driven to school in the snow? I didn't notice and was surprised I was alive in any case.

But I didn't notice anything nowadays. I didn't recognize speech, loudness, music, weather, people, sleep, night. I'd become completely oblivious to everything,

For the first time, in a long time, the cold air hit my skin and drew a reaction. My head turned quick to see a small girl who looked fifteen in the doorway. Her pale skin seemed to blend with the snow and her straight brown hair cut off just below her jaw line. Her face looked childlike, but with a mature look to it. The look made her stick out like a sore thumb as she made her way into the classroom. Everyone was looking.

The girl was too thin, but did not look weak. Without the heel of her shoe, she could only be about five feet. She carried her books in her hands against her chest. She wore a black cashmere high fashion sweater and dark blue skinny jeans.

Her eyes stared idly at the teacher as she spoke, as if the speech was familiar. She'd probably heard this all day.

"You're only fifteen? This is a senior course!" Ms. Jenkins said in excitement. The girl's eyes rolled. She had heard this all day.

"I went to night school last year and summer school. I have all the qualifications I need for this class, and need it for my major," her voice purred as if she were trying to hold her temper. Even with the hint of anger, the voice was beautiful, smooth as silk.

Ms. Jenkins nodded then turned to the staring class.

"Class," she announced. "This is Courtney Clark. She's just moved here, so please act kind and help her around the school." she then turned to Courtney. "Uh. You may sit in any open seat."

Courtney nodded and closed her eyes as she started walking to the back of the classroom. When she stopped next to me, I could see how smooth her skin was and was unable to look away from her.

Her light blue eyes opened and glazed at me, then at Edward's seat next to me. Unlocked from her eyes I looked next to me and swallowed hard. Not his desk. Anything but his desk. When I looked back to her she was gone. I found her sitting in the back, legs crossed and her hand tapping her pen so fast it was barely visible. Her eyes were open, but she wasn't paying attention or taking any notes. The look reminded me of him, when he looked into others minds. But she couldn't be.

My memory suddenly kicked in.

Julia.

He'd showed me her room one day. Her small figure, she was so beautiful. Up close, there seemed to be no comparison.

I looked back to the front.

It was impossible. She couldn't be Julia. She had short straight brown hair, while Julia had long wavy bleach blonde locks. Then her eyes. Vampires eyes weren't blue, only golden or red. My mind was playing tricks on me.

I went back to not thinking, until I went into the bathroom.

She turned quickly to me, then went the ground. Her hands went to the floor, moving around while small cruses came out of her mouth.

"Need help?" I asked as I went down the ground in front of her. She looked up at me an in a smooth swift motion, raised her hand.

"Dropped my contact." she showed me the contact but I was too busy looking into her eyes. One was blue, like smooth turquoise, the other silver. It looked as if liquid metal sat in her eye. She got up and clean the blue contact, then placed it in her eye and walked out.

As I climbed into my truck I saw the girl one more time for the day. She was walking home. I waited to see her go straight down the road, but she turned at the first left. I couldn't believe that she was walking in the snow, with no jacket, and high heels.

The next day I noticed her more.

She was in my gym, second period. Her legs were thin, like small toothpicks. Still beautiful, either way. She looked good in the gym uniform, unlike I did. Every now and then she'd look at me. But not for long.

She was also in my lunch. Her body sat at the Cullen table by itself. The table hadn't been filled in for so long it seemed but she looked perfect there. Her tray held water, strawberries, and yogurt but it went untouched. Her small legs locked together under the table and her hand jolted across the blank paper in front of her while her free hand tapped to what ever song was playing on her iPod.

"She looks so creepy. She belongs at the Cullen table." Jessica's voice smirked. "And she's so skinny she's probably anorexic."

Eric said something that made Jessica glare and Courtney smile as she looked down at her paper. She then looked up, meeting my stare, smiled and waved.

I looked down at the table. How long had she known I was looking at her? Did she mind? Did she know what I was thinking?

She couldn't, that wasn't possible. They'd all left.

I took a deep breath and peered back around, she was gone.

At last, I saw her in Bio. She didn't pay attention again but when asked a question she got it right.

I looked at her skin. I wondered if it was cold under her pink blouse and flowered skirt. She wore heels again and a scarf. Her jacket hung in the back. It was like Edward's, but that was just a coincidence.

She went to the bathroom near the end of class and her path to the front sent a cold breeze past me. Her skin was cold. She couldn't be a vampire, it just wasn't possible. My head only wanted the past.

She's dangerous. Remember Edward said to be safe. Don't be stupid. She isn't what you think.

But that wouldn't stop me from believing. My life was in their hands and now she'd come, practically out of now where. When I needed her.

I suppose she wasn't Edward…but she could pass. Even if she wasn't a vampire. I'd never know. But I could believe.

: )