All Characters Belong to Stephenie Meyer
I slept surprisingly well and awoke refreshed and ready for the day. I changed and did my hair happily. I was ready for school in no time. My hand was much better today. It didn't even hurt.
I didn't look at a clock before I left and was surprised to find I was the first one at school. I still had homework to do from the previous night. I had put off all other assignments in favor of finishing the Biology booklet Edward and I were working on. I decided to make the most of my time and ventured into the school to find a quiet place to work.
Lucky for me, the library was already open. I would have loved to work outside but the drizzly rain prevented me such a luxury. I decided to tackle my English homework first. It was the easiest and also my first class.
I bit down on the eraser of my pencil as I searched for a word that rhymed with orange. Our assignment was to write a poem about something we loved to see. I chose the setting night sky in Arizona. It's something I missed terribly and loved dearly. Nothing compared to the reddish-orange hues that graced the horizon as the sun sank into the endless landscape.
"Nothing rhymes with orange."
I jumped and twisted around in my seat. Behind me stood Edward grinning wildly with a twinkle in his eye.
I blushed embarrassed by my lame poem and quickly turned back around shutting my notebook in haste.
"Good morning." He smiled.
"Morning."
His eyes fell briefly to my now closed notebook before they returned to my face. "What were you describing?"
I averted my eyes, once again feeling the heat return to my face. "Nothing important. It was just some stupid assignment for English." I quickly tucked my notebook safely away in my book bag before I turned back to him.
"It was rather good."
I narrowed my eyes at him ever so slightly.
His eyes widened. "No really. I liked it."
I stared at him critically for a moment trying to decipher if he was telling the truth. He sounded sincere and I could see no traces of humor in his eyes.
"Thanks." I finally muttered.
He sat down across from me at the table. "What were you describing? It seemed foreign to me, though obviously something you highly regarded."
Again, he seemed purely curious. There seemed to be no malice behind his words. It made me relax and feel more at ease.
"I was describing one of the things I miss most about Arizona, the sun setting over the horizon. I'm not very good at it. Words, least of all mine, hardly do it justice." I frowned.
Then a small smile graced my lips. "It's one of the most beautiful things you will ever see." There was a hint of sadness in my voice even I could hear.
His eyes were gentle. "Then that's something I must see one day."
We stayed like that for what seemed like hours, simply staring into each other's eyes. I could feel my heart quicken as a strange electricity filled the air. My head began to spin, and just as I thought I would faint the first bell rang breaking me from my trance. I took in a large jagged breath, as I looked around, startled. I hadn't realized I was holding my breath.
"Shall I walk you to class?" He asked as he rose fluidly from his seat waiting for me to join him.
I swallowed hard as he reached towards me not knowing what he was doing. Before I knew it he had my book bag in his hand and was swinging it over his shoulder as if it weighted nothing at all. He looked amused.
"How's your hand feeling?" He asked as we left the library.
"Much better. Thank you. I can carry my bag you know. My hand is hurt not my shoulder." I felt guilty making him carry two bags.
"Oh I know." He grinned, but did not give back my bag.
I could feel scores of eyes watching curiously as Edward walked me to my first class. I tried not to think about it, but I couldn't help looking at the ground as we walked in silence.
Within a few minutes we were in front of my classroom door. Wordlessly he took my bag from his shoulder and handed it to me. He smiled crookedly at me before he turned sharply on his heel and swiftly made his way to his first class. I watched him walk away in a daze. Upon hearing the late bell I rushed into class blushing furiously as I took my seat in the back. I kept my eyes on the person's back in front of me to avoid eye contact with all others.
I did not see Edward for the rest of the morning, though I did not expect to. We only had the one class together. I had completely forgotten about my meeting with Lauren in the pharmacy the night before until I saw Jessica's eager face as I entered my math class. She was practically jumping out of her seat as she waited for me to arrive.
I groaned internally. This was not going to be fun.
I paused, only briefly, at the door. I decided playing ignorant would be the best way to go.
"Hey Jess." I greeted happily as I took my seat next to her.
She beamed throwing her hands up in front of her palms out. "Tell me everything." She demanded.
I cocked my head to the side. "About what?"
She narrowed her eyes and pursed her lips. "I talked to Lauren last night. She said she ran into you and Edward Cullen. She said he was holding your hand." She replied accusingly, as if daring me to deny it.
I fought the urge to roll my eyes. "Really, Lauren didn't see much." I sighed, explaining how I had went home early but needed my notes from Edward to do our Biology project. She seemed more than disappointed when I told her he was simply holding my hand because it was hurt due to my clumsiness.
"Lauren said you two looked very friendly together." She fished.
"Well we are friends, Jess." And it was true. Somehow between last night and this morning we had become friends.
She eyed me shrewdly. "You're his only one he seems to ever talk to, besides his family. That has to count for something."
I shrugged trying to appear indifferent as the teacher started class.
She looked up as the teacher looked our way. "Still he didn't have to hold your hand like that." She whispered hurriedly.
I ignored her last remark pretending to focus on what the teacher was saying. She had a point. He didn't have to hold my hand the way he did. He could have let go at any moment and given me a wet towel to use. Especially, after me left the pharmacy. He had bought me enough medicine to ease the pain without the help of his hand. Why had he insisted on the contact? What did that mean?
The bell startled me again, this time signaling lunch. I was completely engrossed in my thoughts. I would have to get the homework from someone later.
My heart rate increased as I wondered if Edward would again be waiting to walk me to lunch as he had the day before. It seemed I was not the only curious one as Jessica gave me a knowing look before she opened the door.
My shoulders slumped slightly, and I saw Jessica frown from the corner of my eye. He was not there. I recovered quickly. It's not like he was supposed to be there. I smiled at Jessica and quickly turned the subject to her and Mike before she could say anything. She took the bait, and as predicted rambled all the way to the lunchroom.
I looked quickly to his table and found him there with his other siblings. He had his back to me. I looked away before he noticed and kept my eyes forward.
I was not that hungry. I decided on a bagel and orange juice. As Jessica and I walked to our table I noticed Lauren was already there. She smiled as we approached, but it seemed insincere.
"So Bella. How was your night?" Lauren asked in a sickeningly sick tone that seemed louder than it needed to be.
"Fine thanks." I noticed more than one person had turned to listen in on our conversation. I wondered idly what she had already said, if anything.
"How's your hand?" She asked.
"Fine." I took a bit of my bagel and looked away hoping she was going to drop it. I hoped in vain.
"So you never did tell me what happened? I mean you must have hurt it pretty badly to need to see a doctor."
I tucked my hurt hand under the table and pushed my food away. I suddenly felt very nauseas.
"I accidentally spilt my hot chocolate on my hand, that's all." I answered quickly.
I looked up in anger as I heard her burst into laughter. "You are so clumsy! I know, I for one, would simply want to die after making such a fool of myself in front of someone like Edward Cullen." She snickered. "It was nice of him to take pity on you and help you like he did." Somehow she managed to still sound sweet, though I knew otherwise. The way she said pity made my blood boil. She was purposely trying to embarrass me and make me look like a fool.
I clenched my jaw as angry tears filled my eyes. I could feel my face burn with embarrassment as all eyes focused on me. I could hear a few people laughing softly. I refused to give her the satisfaction of seeing me cry even if it was simply out of anger. I closed my eyes and stood from my seat. I turned quickly just wanting to escape, but hit something cold and hard.
I thought it was the wall at first, but then remembered that our table was not near any walls. I felt cold hands at my shoulders pull me back ever so gently. I slowly opened my eyes to find Edward Cullen looking at me with a soft smile.
"Are you ready Bella?" He asked.
As I looked at his face my anger melted away. I simply nodded in reply. I wasn't sure what I was supposed to be ready for, but I did not want to stay. He reached down grabbing my things before he placed one hand at the small of my back leading me out of the lunchroom. I allowed him to direct me without complaint.
We ended up in the biology room. It was completely vacant, as all other students were at lunch. Silently he led me to the table we shared, pulling my seat out for me.
"Thanks." I mumbled.
He nodded, setting my book bag down in front of me. I didn't know what else to say. I had no idea how long he had been standing behind me, or how much he may have heard. I felt awkward, and could feel my face turn pink as I bit down on my lower lip.
"I'm sorry for what happened." He finally said after what felt like forever. "She is a dim-witted, jealous girl, nothing more." He added darkly.
I shrugged. So he had heard it all. I don't know why I ever doubted. Edward always seemed to know everything. Wishful thinking on my part I guess. What did he mean by jealous? She was prettier and way more popular than me. What could she possibly be jealous of me for? I could feel my blush intensify as I remembered what Jessica had said. Was she jealous because Edward talked to me and not to her?
I shook my head deciding to change the subject. That was not something I was willing to discuss with him now, or possibly ever.
"I got my part of the project done. Want to see?" I asked digging through my bag for my papers a little too enthusiastically.
"Sure." I could hear the smile in his voice.
I handed him all I had done finally meeting his gaze. His eyes were tender, there wasn't any trace of the pity I dreaded finding there. He smiled warmly at me before looking through my work.
"This is very good Bella. You did a great job." He praised.
"I wasn't sure what you wanted to do. I tried to put in the most important information, but I could have missed something."
"No." He shook his head. "I don't think I could have done better if I had done it myself." He winked, causing my heart to skip.
He grinned knowingly at me and once again I blushed.
He returned to look over my work and I dropped my head playing with a piece of my hair. When I could take the silence no longer I looked up. "So I guess all we have to do is meet up after school today to put the final touches on it. Then it will be done." I felt a pang of dread at the thought. That would mean less time with him.
He smiled handing the papers back to me. "After school then." He agreed.
People were staring to trickle in and we talked no more for the rest of class.
I was surprised when he, wordlessly, waited for me after class and walked me to gym. Nothing was said, but there was a strange energy that surrounded us that made my breath come in shallow bursts.
Once I was at the door I turned around to thank him, but stopped. He looked torn about something. Hesitantly he reached forward and brushed my face with the back of his hand. My face burned and tingled all over where he had touched me. My heart raced as he gave me a short smile before departing.
He left me in such a daze that I stumbled my way all through gym, more clumsy than ever. I was benched more than once for the safety of those around me. I raced into the locker room to change once the torturous embarrassment was over. My face was so red; I never thought it would turn back to a normal color again. I wanted to escape as soon as possible.
Fortunately, I was the first one out and was able to escape quickly. As I reached the library my eyes caught movement in the parking lot. Edward was there arguing with his sister, Rosalie. They were all alone; curiously I inched closer to catch what they were saying. They were talking so softly I had to strain to really hear.
"You need to stop now Edward. She's just a little child. Get over this stupid infatuation you have with her. You're putting us all at risk." Her voice was full of venom and I flinched away.
"That's not what this is." He hissed in return. "She's not like that."
"Really? And how would you know? You can't even read her mind! She's not worth it. She knows too much as it is."
He narrowed his eyes dangerously at her causing my breath to hitch. "Don't. Even. Think. About. It." I could feel myself tremble as he said enunciated each word with deliberate slowness.
She gave him a smug look, seemingly undisturbed by his words, as the final bell rang ending the day. Students started filtering out of the buildings, and I turned quickly racing back to the library.
I could feel my heart beating in my throat. What had I just heard? Was it me they were discussing? It had to be me. I was the only one any of them had bothered with. The way he looked at her, as if wanted to kill her…I shivered as I remembered the look on his face. The way she said I wasn't worth it…it was as if she wanted to dispose of me somehow. How was I endangering them? Why did she seem to hate me so? My mind whirled with questions as I let everything that was said sink in.
"Bella?"
I jumped at the sound of my name and turned around. I, instinctively, took a step back as I saw Edward before me. He looked concerned, but I was too confused and frightened to think clearly. I just wanted out.
"Are you feeling all right? You're awfully pale, and trembling all over." He took a step towards me and I took another step back. He froze before me furrowing his brows in confusion.
"I don't think I feel so well." I said reaching into my bag for the notes and then tossing them on the table next to me. "I think I'll go home and rest. You can put the booklet together by yourself, if you don't mind." My voice was low and hoarse.
He paused briefly before answering. "I don't mind."
I nodded in recognition and clutched my book bag to me as I swiftly passed by him and left the library. I half ran to my truck. My hands were shaking making it hard for me to start my truck but eventually I succeeded. As I pulled out I caught the eye of Rosalie and my blood went cold. She looked contemptuously at me. The phrase, if looks could kill, entered my mind as our eyes held. My body trembled as my breathing increased. I tried to swallow, but my throat was too tight.
It wasn't until Alice pulled sharply on her arm that she finally looked away, releasing me. I blinked a few times to clear my head. I pushed hard on the accelerated wanting to just get out of there. Just as I passed by I saw Alice give me a quick sorrow-filled look before she looked back to her family.
I felt dizzy as my mind raced. I left a note for Charlie as soon as I got home. There were plenty of leftovers for dinner. I raced to my room and threw myself on the bed just as the tears started to fall. I wasn't entirely sure why I was crying; I just knew that it felt good to release some of the tension I felt inside.
It was going to be a long night.