The rest of the summer passed by in a blur of hanging out with Edward, Alice, Emmett, Rose and Jasper, just getting to know them all, shopping with the girls (and ending up with ridiculous amounts of clothes in the process) and playing endless amounts of video games with the guys. I also got a new phone (white Blackberry Torch. I am in love with it), and convinced Charlie to come grocery shopping with me so we have actual food in the house.
Before I knew it, it was the day before the first day of school, and Alice had somehow convinced Charlie to let me stay over at her house.
Alice, Rose and I settled ourselves on Alice's bed, and I mentally prepared myself for the night of girl talk.
"So, Bells. Have you figured out what you're going to do about Jasper yet?" Rose asked, seemingly out of nowhere.
I started. I didn't think I had made my crush on him that obvious. Blushing, I answered, "I don't know what you mean."
"Oh, come on, Bella. You're so in love with him it's slightly ridiculous. Don't worry. You haven't been obvious about it. Rose and I are just super perceptive. We've caught your gaze lingering on him a little longer than necessary once or twice. Oh, and you talk in your sleep," Alice said, causing my blush to deepen.
"Okay, so I like him. And I'm not going to do anything about it, because there is absolutely no way he will ever feel the same way about me."
"That's where you're wrong. You forget that Jasper and I are step-siblings. And we're actually quite close, believe it or not. And as a result of that, he tells me things. Like his feelings for a certain tall, gorgeous, brunette friend of ours."
"First of all, I only fit two of those categories, tall and brunette. Second, I really don't want to make a fool of myself, so confessing my love is completely out of the question."
"Shut up, Bells. You're one of the most beautiful girls I've ever met. And Jasper likes you. So, Rosalie and I are going to come up with a plan to help you confess your feelings."
"Fine. But can we drop this now?" When they both nodded I continued, "So I finally convinced Charlie to let me take my motorcycle to school tomorrow."
"You have a motorcycle?" They asked at the same time.
"Yeah, I rode it more than once over the summer. I can't believe I never mentioned it."
"What kind?" Rose asked.
"Harley Davidson - "
"Jasper is going to be so jealous. That's his dream bike, but his mom got him a Honda for his sixteenth birthday. He's not allowed to ask for another one until Christmas this year," Rose mentioned.
"Plan!" Alice yelled, "It's not a plan for you to tell him you like him, but you should pick him up for school tomorrow on your bike. Maybe let him drive it. You can wrap your arms around him, sit close to him," Alice said, teasing in her tone.
"Fine," I said, pulling out my phone. Neither of them would let me get out of this, so I might as well give in easily.
I sent Jasper a message quickly, saying Hey. I'm gonna pick you up for school tomorrow. Don't ask why. Just trust me.
Ok? I'll be ready to go at 7:45 was his reply. I confirmed the time before sliding my phone back into my pocket and glancing at Alice's clock.
"It's pretty late," I said, noticing that it was 11:00, "We should go to sleep. I don't want to look like a zombie on my first day."
The next morning I was the first to wake without the alarm at six, so I decided, since I wouldn't be able to get back to sleep anyway, to jump in the shower before Alice and Rose woke up.
I showered quickly, singing quietly to myself the whole time.
It was like a time bomb set into motion
We knew that we were destined to explode
And if I had to pull you out of the wreckage
You know I'm never gonna let you go
We're like a time bomb
Gonna lose it, let's diffuse it
Baby, we're like a time bomb
But I need it
Woluldn't have it any other way
As I walked into Alice's room I noticed both of them were awake and staring at me.
"Dude. You never told us you can sing," Rose said, looking slightly shocked.
"I don't really do it a lot. Like, I write music, and I knew my voice was decent due to Rene's attempts to force me into a recording contract, but it was never really something I thought I was great at. Which is why I didn't tell you guys. Also, sorry I woke you up."
"The alarm went off, and we heard you singing. You're incredible. But we all need to get ready for school, so we will discuss your hidden talents later."
I got ready as they showered, blow drying my hair so it fell in its natural waves, and putting on a little bit of eyeliner and mascara, a bronze eye shadow, and nude lip gloss. I pulled on a pair of dark indigo skinny jeans and a loose, white tank top that had Tweety bird dressed as a sailor on it and 'Ahoy Matey' written above the picture. When Alice and Rose returned to Alice's room to get ready I told them I had to go home to get my books together, something I had forgotten to do the night before, and get my bike ready, and then pick up Jasper. They nodded in understanding and I left.
When I got home I ran up to my room throwing the notebooks and writing stuff I had bought into my silver Coach Madison Shoulder Bag, throwing my wallet, phone and iPod into it and grabbing my black, leather ankle boots with the three studded buckles before running downstairs. In the kitchen I checked the clock quickly (7:20) before pulling on my boots, grabbing my bag and leather riding jacket, and running out the door.
When I got into the garage, I put my bag in the saddlebag before putting on my perfectly fitting jacket with the zipper that sat slightly left of the centre, putting on my plain black ¾ helmet and climbing on the bike.
As I put the key in the ignition I couldn't help but relax. There was something about riding this bike that was so calming. I pulled out of the driveway and made my way to Jasper's house quickly, knowing I would be a little bit early.
As I pulled into the driveway of the Whitlock/Hale house, I parked and turned the bike off as quickly as I could. I got off the bike, putting the kickstand down before taking my helmet off.
When Jasper walked out of the house in black skinny jeans and a plain white t-shirt, he couldn't have looked any more shocked.
"This is yours?"
"Hells yeah. This is my baby. Rose mentioned that you have a bike, and I figured you might want to driver her?"
He nodded blankly, staring at the bike as though Christmas had come early.
"Okay, well you're gonna need your helmet. And maybe a jacket of some sort. The wind makes it kind of cold."
He nodded again before running inside and re-emerging less than five minutes later.
"Okay," he said. "Let's do this."
I laughed, putting his bag in the saddlebag as he got on the bike, and then climbing on behind him.
"Are you good if I put my arms around your waist? Or would you rather I held on to –" I cut myself off as I realized this bike was really only meant for one person, so there was nothing to hold on to.
"You can hold onto me," he laughed. I cautiously wrapped me arms around his waist, revelling in how muscular he felt, even under a leather jacket.
We got to school quickly, and as we pulled in, I could feel everyone staring at us. Downfall of being the new girls and spending your entire summer with the same five people: no one knew who you were, and therefore, everyone stared. All the time. I was not looking forward to that.
I climbed off the bike once Jasper turned it off, taking of my helmet before running a hand through my hair to fix it quickly and grabbing my bag out of the saddlebag. Jasper did the same before glancing around the parking lot.
"So. We appear to be the centre of everyone's attention," he said, offhandedly.
"New girl," I said, raising my hand a little. "I figured I would get more than a few stares. Arriving on the back of a motorcycle being driven by a hot guy will probably only increase them."
He raised an eyebrow at me before saying, "You think I'm hot?"
"It's kind of obvious, isn't it? Now help me find the office. I still need to pick up my schedule."
As we walked across the parking lot we were joined by Alice and Rose.
"You guys look like you're ready for a runway," I said, and they did. Alice was dressed in a pair light denim cuffed shorts and a white v-neck tank top with large blue, pink, and purple flowers embroidered on it, lace trimming on the neck, and a fitted band at the waist paired with nude cork-wedge heels. Her dark hair was spiked as usual, and her makeup was simple except for the bright pink lipstick. Rose looked just as good, dressed in loose-ish, navy high-waisted shorts with a white cable knit top tucked into it. The top had random flecks of red spread throughout it, and she wore nude slingback heels. Her hair fell in waves down her back, and, her makeup was similar to Alice's, except her lipstick was old Hollywood red.
"It's the first day of school. We have to let people know that we're serious about fashion," Alice said.
I laughed at her serious expression before following Jasper into what I assumed was the office.
I alked up to the secretary, and she greeted me cheerfully.
"Hi. I'm Bella Swan. Today is my first day, and I was wondering if I could get a schedule."
I was given my schedule and a map, and then stepped out of the office to look at it. However, before I could so much as glance at it, Jasper had snatched it out of my hand and was looking it over with Aloice and Rose.
"You have English first period with Edward and I, Government second with Rose, Trig third with all of us, Spanish fourth with Alice, Edward and Emmett, lunch with all of us, Biology with Alice, Edward, and Emmett after lunch, and Gym with me last," Jasper explained before handing back my schedule.
"Well, that's relieving. I know someone in all my classes who can tell me how to get to my other classes,"
"And now we just need to find your locker. Which shouldn't be hard, because it's right across the hall from mine," Alice said, clapping her hands excitedly.