We can make a dimpled smile out of a frown.
-Manucurist in Wizard of Oz (1939)
Bella POV
The rest of the weekend was uneventful. I heard nothing from Edward, or Carlisle for that matter, and Charlie left me alone.
It was probably the best weekend I'd had in a long time.
I decided that I'd get through this school day no matter what it threw at me. And I did.
Biology came and gone, and Edward hadn't said a word.
Thank fucking god.
I made my way into my Art class.
I didn't expect to see Edward in here or anything, so I was pretty calm walking in there. I didn't think anyone would bother me in that class.
But, I was wrong. Someone did bother me. Well, they didn't exactly bother me, they just talked to me. And that was always a bother to me.
"Hey, I'm new here. Are you new? You weren't here last week. I'm Alice Brandon, by the way," she offered me her hand.
I just gave her the biggest smile I could, which wasn't a very big smile at all.
"What's your name?" Damn, this girl was too damn chipper. Are people actually this happy on a daily basis? That doesn't even seem possible.
"Bella," I mumbled, ready to bury my head in my hoodie.
"Bella. That's such a pretty name! What's it short for? Or is it?"
"Isabella."
"Oh. My name is actually Mary Alice Brandon. But I prefer Alice. Kay?"
I snickered at her all of a sudden face, making sure that I did not call her Mary Alice.
"I know what your thinking—what decade are we in?"
I giggled again and uncomfortably shifted in my seat. I didn't like smiling or anything. And I felt myself letting my guard down in front of this girl.
The teacher assigned us our assignment. I expected her to go through the syllabus but then I remembered I wasn't here last week and that she probably had gone through that then.
"Don't worry, she may come off as a bitch. But she's pretty nice after a while," Alice assured me.
I felt like I was the new girl or something. Because she was telling me about a teacher when it should be vice versa.
Alice was luckily comfortable enough with me not talking. She didn't push me to talk to her. And she didn't seem offended when I barely said anything or barely acknowledged her.
I liked Alice. I really did.
We could have been friends. Once upon a time.
xoxo, B.