I am still doing my best imitation of a fish out of water. I can't quite get my head wrapped around that boy and more frighteningly my own reaction to him. I somehow manage to find a seat in one of the benches on the path to the cafeteria where I replay what just happened. I couldn't even form a coherent answer to any of his statements. But I actually think I made him nervous. How that is even possible is a mystery to me.
"So I guess your morning didn't go as bad as you thought huh?" a sudden voice in my ear says.
"AAAAhhhh! Jazz, don't scare me like that! And my morning was just fine." I respond trying to control my now racing heart.
"Fine? Really? With that goofy smile on your face? Come on let's go get some grub before too many people make it to the cafeteria," he tells me trying to pick me off the bench. I follow without a struggle thinking better not to address his ridiculous comment about a goofy smile.
The rest of our walk is a short one to the lunch line. Jazz is talking about something, but my thoughts are still on those green eyes. Why did he talk to me? Why did he run? Jasper's talk is like a buzzing noise. I catch a few words here and there about food. Should have figured it would be food. That boy and food. I try to tune back in before he notices I was not really paying attention. When suddenly I run right into his back.
"Jazz, what the hell. I am already unsteady, I really don't want to fall on my face in here" I scold him. The silence I am met with me concerns me. He always has a smart remark about anything I say. I move to look at him and see his eyes glazed over staring intently out into the cafeteria. I scan quickly to see what or who has his attention.
Yet I don't see anything. Well until a short gypsy looking girl passes by. She has a smile on her face with earphones on, while taking what looks like some kind of dance steps. I am even captivated by her. She has what I can only describe as a black ballerina looking skirt with matching ballerina flats. Her hair is spiky in different directions with what looks to be some kind of purple highlights, which match her shirt. She seemed impervious to the looks she was getting.
"Who's the pixie?" I ask Jasper as she walks past us to a table in the back with her packed lunch. But I get no response.
"Jazz? Hello? Wake up buddy" I smack his arm, only to find it hurts my fingers. Great. Figures. "Hello? What's dream girl's name" I ask again.
"Alice" is the name whispered out in longing. I wonder if he even knows he answered me. Wow. Talk about having it bad. I grab his arm and proceed to walk him to the cashier. Considering my morning, I want to take pity on him, but never having seen a girl get the better of him before, I don't know if I am going to be able to.
His head in the clouds, I end up paying for his full tray so we can leave before we catch anyone's eye. I grab his other hand and lead him outside. No way am I eating inside. I wonder how long he will be stuck in his head before he joins me. Yet nothing in my life is easy so of course I run into another body in my escape attempt.
"Watch where you are going you jerk!" causes my head to rise only to find a pair of angry blue eyes. I find myself being glared at by a group of beautiful girls. Considering their dress, make up and accessories, they must be the "it" group around here.
"Sorry" I say putting my head down tugging at Jasper's hand hoping he remains in a cloud. But I am all out of luck today.
"Hey. Don't talk to her like that! You know.."
"Please let it go, let's go. Please." I beg and tug his arm. I don't want to cause a fight and get everyone's attention. "Please" I feel my eyes water and tightness in my chest. I squeeze my eyes while I silently repeat "Please".
Jasper just starts to pull me without further words, but we both hear the laughs and comments. "What a weirdo" "Did you see what she had on?" "Some people have…"
I know to expect it, yet it still hurts every single time. Rosalie just wants to be popular and will do anything to fit in. Including casting me aside to get it. I can feel Jasper's anger as he squeezes my hand tightly as he leads me out. He says nothing but slams his tray on the table and he starts pacing.
"Just why? Tell me why do you let her do this?" he angrily asks yet again, only this time in person. This is such an old argument to which he knows the answer to. I don't even bother to respond as I take my lunch out. I start nibbling on my sandwich as I feel a traitor tear escape. I'm startled at the fists that hit the table. I look up to his eyes.
"I know the answer Bella! It doesn't make it right. This can't happen. I won't let you!" he snarls at me. I just stare and catch his angry eyes with my teary brown ones. I see his anger just deflate as he sits next to me.
"I just hate how you feel the need to let her do this for something that you don't do. It's your parents fault not yours, yet you still feel the need to pay the price for it. It's bad enough when she lets others do it but when she does it herself….aaahhhh" he quietly rants to me as he puts his head on the table.
I don't know what to say so I simply take another bite of my sandwich and look around which I instantly regret. The library boy is now staring at me from the cafeteria entry with such a strange expression. He looks angry and sad at the same time and then quickly goes down the hall.
We spent the rest of the lunch in silence, but Jasper and I were always good at spending quiet time together. He walks me to the front office so I can meet with the school nurse. I am relieved to see nobody but adults in the office. I quickly get my chore done and escape to the hall. I really don't want anyone to make note of this soon to be habit. From there we plan to meet up for photography at the end of my class as he drops me off in my AP class.
I'm directed to the seat at the back table and keep my head down while I go to the back. I see someone bent over on their side getting something off the floor or backpack. I just sit and put my head down as I can start to feel the ache begin and I pray that I can hide it. I refuse to be kept from attending school.
With the bell ringing, Mr. Banner begins "Settle down. I am happy to announce we have an addition today. Miss Swan, please get up and introduce yourself to the class." Luck, I have none. I feel my throat dry, my cheeks warm and the ache get stronger.
"Hi. I'm Isabella Swan." I quickly say and sit.
"Tell us some interesting things about yourself, Miss Swan." Mr. Banner cruelly presses. "And please speak a little louder"
"Joy" I mutter as I stand again and looking at no one in particular I find myself not knowing what to say. I feel everyone's stares and just want to escape. I can feel my heart beating faster and my breathing get shallow. I know if I don't answer I will not get to sit down. "Read….I like to read" I sputter a little too loud and I sit down too fast catching only the edge of my chair. Next thing I know, I hear laughter and feel the cold floor on my butt and stinging in my face. I close my eyes and pray I am having a nightmare and really am in bed.
Suddenly I feel tingly in my arms as someone is pulling me up and saying something to me. I can't quite make out what's being said past the noise. I open my eyes to find my green eyes looking at me in concern. Why of all people does it have to be him? Did I not look like an idiot enough today? He's talking to me, but I can only stare back at him as I feel my tears once again start. I want out.
I feel his thumb brush on my lip. I am speechless. For once, someone other than my family is touching me without me flinching. He starts pulling me to the front; at least I think he is as I am keeping my head down not wanting to see who is snickering at me.
"Isabella got hurt. Can I take her to the nurse?" green eyes say.
I guess he got an answer he wants as I feel him leading me out still holding on to my arm. As the cool air hits me I seem to finally wake up and I stop. I feel his fingers on my chin as he makes me look up. "Are you okay? You hit mouth on the table I think. I guess that's where the blood is from. I'm going to take you to the nurse okay?" he tells me with a soft voice.
"Please…please no. I don't want to go there." I whisper. I know the minute the nurse sees me my parents will get a call. My mother made sure that would happen. I can't deal with that; not on my first day. I manage to find some courage to look at him in the eyes as I beg once again today, "Please." I can feel some tears manage to escape.
He stares at me for a while. "Okay, Isabella. Do you want to go back in?" I shake my head. He looks off in the distance and then I see a hint of his smile when he turns again to me. "Let's go to the beginning." He then proceeds to lead me away.
I am sitting in one of the comfy chairs staring out the window. What an awful afternoon. I expected Rose's response. It's the norm which is why we tend to avoid each other. But I just had to have a klutzy moment that is sure going to make it hard to blend in. I jump as I feel a wet napkin on my lip.
I look into his beautiful green eyes as he whispers "sorry". I find myself just staring him as he gently cleans my lip.
"There. All clean. I brought you some water too. Miss Price said we can stay in here as long as we keep quiet. Some class is supposed to come in. I hope you don't mind me staying here with you. But if you want I can leave as I seem not to be able to shut up around you," he smiles unsure of himself. His smile is falling as I just stare at him. He starts to stand when I surprise both of us as I grab his arm.
"No. Stay." I manage to whisper. He smiles again and sits in the chair next to me.
"Thank you…" I begin as I realize I don't even know his name. I just kept calling him green eyes in my head. I think I even said my green eyes. His eyes widen as he realizes my hint.
"Edward. Edward Cullen. I am such a jerk. I just drag you away and not even bother to introduce myself," he rambles.
"Thank you Edward" I interrupt and smile at him. His answering smile is shockingly beautiful. I realize I am still holding his arm and slowly let it go, missing it instantly. How weird. I tend to avoid touching people.
"Bella? What are you doing?" I suddenly hear Jasper. His eyes widen as he notices my lip and tear streaked cheeks. I can see his temper rising. "What's wrong? What happened?" he ignores Edward completely and grabs my arm to turn me to him.
"Nothing Jasper. Don't worry. Just a klutzy moment. Go back to your class before you get in trouble." I tell him while trying to get him to let go of my arm.
"My class is in here Bella. Don't change the subject. This was not nothing. We will discuss this now." I note his patience running out.
"Hey take it easy. Can't you see you are upsetting her again?" Edward cuts in irritated himself. Jasper now takes notice of him.
"Mr. Whitlock, please join us" a voice commands and interrupts the glaring contest. Jasper reluctantly starts to turn and tells me to stay here until the bell rings. I glare at him as I feel my temper rising at his ordering me around like I'm a misbehaving child.
"I know it's none of my business, but I hope you don't get too involved with someone who treats you like that." Edward tells me as he removes his glasses and begins to pinch his nose. I turn and stare at him. What?
"What? Why would you say that?" I ask.
"Never mind" he responds as he begins to stand again. His eyes have a stormy look.
"Jasper has just had a trying day. He means well really." I defend. It only seems to make Edward sad. "Really" I continue "He normally is very easy going. He's just very protective is all."
"It was nice meeting you Isabella. Please be careful. I would hate to see you hurt again."
"Please wait" I ask, feeling a sting just thinking of losing sight of him again.
"I don't want to get you in trouble again." He quickly moves through the class in the library and exits. For the second time today, Edward leaves me gaping like a fish.