"So what's your next class shorty?" Emmett's booming voice sounds loud even when I can tell he's just talking casually. His voice also comes from way above my head; I can guess why he's calling me shorty.
"Um … gym I think," I mutter pulling out my schedule and realizing with a grim expression, I can feel it darkening my face that the schedule isn't written in Braille and I remember that I already had gym this morning and stinking Bella repeated her own damn schedule so many times while we walked that I memorized hers. And we aren't even in the same grade!
"Actually you have Free Period with me and Emmett." Jasper says in his unique, and totally freaky, calm voice. There's something else in his voice too, it almost sounds like he's straining it or something. Like he's in pain but he's good at hiding it. It'd be easier to tell about all this if I could see his facial expression.
"Oh. Uh thanks." My irritation is growing but abruptly a strange feeling of calm and peace settles around me, washing away my frustration like a wave.
"I'll see you later Jaylea," Rose and Alice say this simultaneously and I focus my ears on their ghost footsteps leaving me. Well okay then.
"C'mon Jaylea. We don't bite … much." Emmett says and Jasper laughs lightly at this. I feel like I'm missing out on some joke but shrug it off; if they wanna tell me than they can just tell me.
It's hard to follow their footsteps, even with them standing on both my sides so I just listen to the sound of their breathing and try to focus on the turns we make and how many steps it takes.
We're still in the same building as Music Class so it doesn't take long for Jasper to say, "We're here, it's the library. This is where we usually come for Free." Huh. I had been wondering what to do during Free Period. "If you have any homework you could get it done here."
"Oh, please! Jaylea isn't a nerd like you are Jazz!" Emmett guffaws and I hear and feel the air move as he punches Jasper in the shoulder, or at least that's what I'm guessing. It sounded like two boulders colliding.
"Actually, I guess I should read some. I mean, what else is there to do?" I say following their quiet breathing to a table. Jazz puts my hand, his cold skin made me flinch, on the back of a wooden chair and I slide into it, careful not to fall on my butt. I hear Jasper sit down next to me and Emmett across from me.
"Well, we could go outside. Maybe a quick hike before school lets out?" There's a smirk in Emmetts voice and again the rock hitting another rock sound bounces off the walls, Emmett grunts. Did Jazz hit him?
"Yeah sure. Sounds great." Okay, hiking and blindness is never a good combination, especially in this wild terrain, but I figure what the hell? I won't be out there alone.
It's a short walk outside with Emmett and Jasper on my sides. Every now and then one of their arms or hands will brush against my arms or hands and I gotta say they are freezing! I can feel how cold they are through my jacket for goodness sake!
"So, Jaylea, what do you think of Forks?" Emmett asks, clearly setting himself up to make a joke or something. I can tell by the tone of his deep voice.
"Well, for starts, it's really dark." I say as innocent as I can. Jasper chuckles but Emmett booms out a thunderous roar of laughter that makes me jump. Is this man ever quiet?
I can feel the elevation as we start walking up a hill and Jazz places a cold hand on my elbow to help me. I mutter thanks, never fully grateful for help as usual. I mean, yes I need some help getting around sometimes, but that doesn't mean I want it.
We pass around small jokes for the rest of the hike, every now and then I trip over some damn root or branch but I never meet the wet ground 'cause of Jazz's and Emmett's crazy reflexes. A couple times one of them will lift me over a log or something and I force myself not to flinch at their icy touch, not wanting to be rude to the only people who seem to accept me as a friend. But of course I dare not hope for friendship from them, no it'd just hurt too much when I realize the joke to all this.
They tell me the story of how they all came together too. Turns out only Jasper and Rose are actually related, they are twins, and they were all adopted by Dr. Carlisle and Esme Cullen. Also, Jazz is dating Alice and Emmett is with Rosalie. This is a little weird sure but who am I, the freaky, loner, blind-girl to judge?
"So, where are we anyway?" I ask as the ground started to feel more level but we never did turn around.
"Forks, Washington." Emmett reply's I can hear the sarcastic smirk on his face.
"Em, if I could see where your face was, I'd slap it." I say to my new clown of a friend with mock irritation.
"Don't worry Jaylea I'll do it for you." Jasper says politely. Then there's a whistle in the air and again that rock-hit-rock noise which echoes off the trees.
"Ouch," Emmett mumbles.
I giggle some, can't help myself. I actually made friends. Wow.
"Jaylea?" Jasper asks.
"Hmm?"
"When I first saw you in the cafeteria you seemed sad, and upset. Why?"
That's strange, I always thought I was really good at hiding my emotions.
"Um," is all I can think of to say. I was sad 'cause Bella, who I had assumed was starting to like me, had ditched me and that too pissed me off and I was mad at myself because I didn't go to sit with them even if they didn't want me to. I was "upset" also because this town, this school, these people, was turning out to be just like all the others. Until I met the Cullen's that is.
Emmett laughs again and says, "Jeez, Jazz why do you care hmm? You aren't getting a little too close to our Jaylea here, hmm?" I feel my face go hot and the rock-hit-rock sound comes outta nowhere again, louder this time.
"Well Jasper? I mean I know I'm awesome but I don't think Alice would totally approve." I say, elbowing him and possibly giving myself a bruise. Ouch, what are these guys made of stone or something?
Emmett explodes in more laughter again and Jazz joins him. I do too.
When we get back to the school Jazz goes over to their siblings but Emmett escorts me to Bella's truck.
"I think my brother, Edward, kinda hates Bella." Emmett says out of nowhere.
"Why?"
My question sends him backtracking. "Uh … I don't know. Just … he's an idiot." And with that I can hear his whisper footsteps walk faintly away.
"Well, goodbye to you too." I mutter sarcastically. I was wondering if he heard me but his booming laughter sounding not too far away answered my silent question.
"Who was that?" I sigh when I recognize Philips familiar voice and scent.
"Emmett Cullen."
Philip grunts. "What'd he want with you?" His voice is angry and suspicious; I turn towards him in the truck.
"Nothing, he was just walking me over here. What's wrong?"
"I don't know he's just … creepy. That's all."
I straighten me shoulders, my chin jerks up. "He's actually really nice and funny. You'd like him."
"Yeah, maybe. I don't know."
Bella comes in, slamming the door in the process and the truck roars to life. I try to imagine the stares of other teens at her loud vehicle but frown when I truly can't. I can barely imagine what other people look like anymore.
"So…" Philip draws the word out before saying, "Bella, how was your day?" He asks even though it's pretty obvious that her day sucked. Or she's just pissed that she has to drive us home which is silly since we're neighbors.
Bella sighs heavily and drives down the road. I get a little nervous. Anger, rain, and a crappy truck never mix together well.
Not caring if he gets embarrassed, I check to make sure Philips seat is buckled.
Satisfied that my little brother hasn't forgotten to buckle up I relax in my seat. Bella, who's obviously not in a very good mood, takes a long time getting us home.
I'm starting to wonder exactly where it is she's taking us when Philip asks, "Um, Bella, where are we going?"
What? What the hell? Where is she taking us?
A familiar panic starts to set in. The rain beating against the trucks roof and windows is so freaking loud!
"Oh!" Bella exclaims as if she's just now remembering that we're in the truck with her. "I forgot to mention, I have to stop by the grocery store. Sorry." Her voice is strained, still pissed off I guess, while the truck jerks to a stop.
I follow Philip out the door, the rain soaking through my jacket. In the short seconds it takes us to hurry inside, I'm already shaking.
"We won't b-be here long; I j-just have to get a f-f-few things." Bella stutters, her teeth clattering.
I keep close to Philip while we walk through the small store, leaving Bella to buy whatever it is she needs.
"So, how was your day?" I ask. The store is warm and toasty; my teeth stop rattling quickly.
"Fine." His voice tells me it was much more than fine.
With a sigh I ask, "Okay, what's her name?"
Philip chuckles his amazingly soothing laugh and says, "Leah Clearwater."
"Cool, so is she nice?"
"Uh, I don't know. I didn't really get a chance to talk with her. She was picking up her brothers friend, Cory, from school."
I stop walking, my hand finding his wrist. "Philip, how old is this Leah Clearwater?"
He hesitates, "Well, I think she's a senior." Philip gives a nervous laugh and continues, "And I think she goes to school on the reservation, La Push. Remember when we looked it up on the computer-?" I cut him off.
"Senior? You're kidding!" My voice rises up an octave.
"I don't know for sure if she's a senior! Hell, she could just be a tall freshman that can drive for all I know!" He defends himself, the well-known sarcastic note returning to his voice. I scowl.
"Philip-" My brother cuts me off this time.
"Calm down will ya! I'm not a baby anymore 'sis. And I mean it's not like we even talked! I don't even know if she saw me!"
I take a couple deep breaths.
"Alright, but I definitely wanna meet her now."
"Okay," Philip says nonchalantly, "fine. Not like I got a chance with her anyway."
My brow furrows. "What do you mean? Oh, c'mon Philip! Of course you got a chance with her; I'm just playing the 'over-protective big sister' role that's all."
"Yeah, well. You didn't see her Jaylea. And I'm not saying that to be a jerk I mean really she's like… astounding." Okay, that's weird. Philip isn't really one to use words like "astounding" not that he isn't smart, he's just more laid-back. There's a tone in his voice that I've never heard before.
"Wow, she must really be something. A real looker I'm guessing." I bump my shoulder lightly against his arm.
"You have no idea. She's … beyond belief. Yeah, that's what she is: beyond belief." There's not sarcasm or laughter in his voice. Philip is dead serious. I think this is a first.
I take another deep breath. Ugh, my little bro is changing into a man. When the hell did that happen?
"Okay. Leah Clearwater. What do you know about her?"
"Just what Cory told me today; she's Quilete, lives on the reservation, and her little brother is Seth Clearwater. I met him today, he's a cool guy."
Well Cory certainly didn't tell him much.
I vaguely notice the rain stopping outside, the sound of it beating against the roof waning.
"Well … she sounds very …" I can't form the words, all I'm trying to figure out is how in the world did the woman get Philip Moore to feel so strongly about her without even saying one freaking word to him.
"Okay, okay, enough about my day." Philip says before the silence gets to long. "What about you huh? I saw you talking to that big Cullen guy. He seems… big."
"Yeah Emmett's nice. A total jokester but nice."
"Really? Everyone else in school thinks they're a bunch of freaks. No offense. And they all seem very," he pauses searching for the right word, "nonsocial."
My chin jerks up. "They're not freaks! And who cares if they don't have a huge crowd of friends. I don't either!"
"Hey! Hey! I said 'no offense' remember? Chill Jaylea."
"Yeah I get it. Sorry 'bout that." Another deep breath.
Philip chuckles again and lays an arm lazily over my shoulders. "Well, if you feel really bad about it, you could write my essay for me."
"Ha-ha. Not gonna happen, little bro." I elbow him teasingly in the stomach while laughing.
I recognize the strawberry smell coming our way and turn towards it.
"Hey," Bella says, she sounds calmer now but still fuming. "I'm ready. Let's go."
We follow her to the door, Philips arm still draped over my shoulders.
Shuffling through the double doors another group of people are walking in, my right shoulder bumps into one of them.
"Sorry," I mutter.
"It's fine- oh! Hey Philip!" A young male voice I certainly don't recognize exclaims.
"Hi Seth." Philip greets him. Ah, so this is Seth. Is his sister, Leah, here? I'm guessing yes since Philip just tensed up. "This is my big sister, Jaylea."
"Hi," I say, forcing a smile.
"H-hey." Seth stutters, sounding embarrassed.
"Well, um, we gotta go head home. Bella Swan is driving us." And with that Philip half shoves half leads me to the truck.
Inside I ask him, "Is Leah why you were trying to get outta there?"
"Uh … yes."
"Huh. Why did Seth sound embarrassed?" I really am confused about that one. Either Seth was shocked by my utter blindness and embarrassed he bumped into a blind girl or … I actually can't think of another reason.
"I think he likes you."
"What?" I ask bewildered. He must be joking.
Philip sighs. "Bella would you please explain to my ignorant sister that she's pretty."
Bella laughs a little. "He's right Jaylea; you aren't just pretty you're very beautiful." While I'm flattered I'm also irritated. Okay, so Bella considers me beautiful. Philip thinks I'm pretty. If only I could actually tell what I look like! It'd be nice to know!
I think about asking mom often what I look like but it just sounds to self-absorbed a question.
The rest of our ride home is spent in awkward silence. I get the feeling Bella isn't really paying attention to anything right now and Philip is listening to his I-pod. I sigh and turn mine on and let the hard sounds of Korn tune out the world.