At lunchtime, I found myself an empty table and without bothering to pick up any food this time, I faintly took a seat, when suddenly a ceramic hand pulled the chair in front of me and a sweet velvety voice said "Hello."
I looked up to a pair of golden brown eyes looking down on me. I pulled down the sleeves over my hands, "I-I'm sorry, I d-didn't realize this table was reserved" I stuttered, dazzled by his gaze, and quickly rose to my feet.
Before I realized it, my ankle got caught up on the chair's leg, and I was about to trip when he automatically caught and steadied me. I flinched away from his unexpected touch, his hand, like dry ice, left a stinging burn on my shoulder.
"No, please. Sit down" he said politely through gritted teeth, and I felt obliged to obey. "I did not introduce myself to you last time, I am Edward Cullen."
Last time, my face turned hot as I remembered our first encounter, probably because my foul smell was too strong and you couldn't breathe, I'm sorry, I wanted to say, but bit back my tongue.
The name Cullen rang a bell, "My dad is very fond of yours" I said. Charlie always spoke highly of Dr Carlisle Cullen, of how he could have worked at any hospital worldwide, but still chose to stay in Forks.
"And you are Sheriff Swan's daughter, Isabella Swan." It wasn't a question, he stated it matter-of-factly.
"No." I replied and watched disappointment replace his once stiff poker face. "I mean, yes, but no. It's Bella, just Bella." I corrected. "How did you know?" I haven't introduced myself to anyone, did Charlie boast about my arrival?
I hadn't noticed until now, but he replaced a blue folder labelled Isabella Swan – Biology C104 on the table along a brown pencil case, both which I had left behind when I ditched class on the first day.
Eyes were all on our table, students looking back and forth at Edward and I. I was now very self-aware of my protruding thighs, and I had the urge to hide from him, from everyone. I made sure my knuckles were covered before I grabbed my folder, thanked him and got up to leave.
As I stood up abruptly for the second time, I felt a thud against my chest and my heart started to slow down. My eyes were wide open, but patches of white replaced my vision. My throat started tightening and my lungs felt clogged.
I clumsily sat myself right back down; I have been through this enough times before to know that my blood pressure has dropped.
"Bella, are you okay?" the musical voice asked, it heard closer to my ear now, "I am taking you the nurse." He said with real concern in his voice.
I put my head down on the table and through wheezing breaths I said, "No, it's okay. I just need.. electrolytes and.. salt" it was getting harder to breathe now, as if my lungs have been filled to the brim with tiny little beads, and air has to seep through the reamed holes.
Still unable to see, I felt his cold hand burning under mine, and I was too weak to argue now. He supported my weight and lifted me up by his side. I lost sensation of my limbs, and now that I was standing, my weak heartbeat will not be able to bump enough blood flow to my brain. I knew what was coming next, "Edward, I…" and everything went black.