Chapter Seven – Lunchtime Conversations

"How are you?" I hated those words just then. Did people really need to know if my head was hurting or if I was still in shock? I can just imagine them calling a fleet of ambulances just for a broken nail. As if I'd ever need an ambulance at school.

In the cafeteria I had finally gotten a spot that was half hidden next to the toilets. I had hoped nobody would bother me, but I knew that wouldn't stop them forever so I had hatched a partially amusing plan. I smiled in anticipation; soon Mike will be the centre of attention, and I'll be old news.

A large bang then disrupted my thoughts, the building started to shake and the window was a blur of fire.

'Poor Mike Newton, he would miss his car.' I thought, and as I had predicted everyone rushed out to see what happened. I leaned back on my chair; at least I could finally eat my sandwich in peace. Unfortunately, nothing ever goes to plan with me.

"Hello." A quiet voice rang out: Edward. "Would you mind if I sat here?"

'What on earth is he doing here? Why isn't he out with the rest of the school?' I looked towards his family; they were all sitting there as if it was completely normal for large explosions to be heard outside of school. They didn't even flinch. Who on earth were they to not be afraid of an explosion?

"So, I'm sure you're sick of this by now, but how are you?" 'Why was he speaking to me? I was the freak, the one he couldn't stand, he detested me and yet here he was speaking to me and asking if I was all right.'

"I'm fine, thank you." I looked down, 'why was I making conversation with him? I wasn't supposed to encourage him.' I looked up. "In fact, isn't your table down there?" I gestured towards his family, who were currently staring at me as if I was some new scientific discovery.

"Ah yes, but I was afraid of more explosions and the shrapnel is quite large." He looked outside, grimacing slightly.

"Your family doesn't seem to have those reservations," I quipped, focusing my attention on my sandwich. 'I am not going to look at him or his family; I will just wait for him to go away,' I chanted inside my head.

"Neither do you. In fact, you shouldn't even be at school, should you?" He glanced at Rosalie who was now studiously filing her nails.

"And you're a doctor, aren't you? Anyway, I better go now." I made a move to leave, but in one quick motion he grasped my hand. I gasped; his hand was cold! It felt like a jolt of electricity had just coursed up my arm and through my body. I lifted my eyes to his and jerked my hand back. "Who are you?"

"I could ask you that question myself; they discovered the bodies of the muggers close to where you were attacked but there's no sign of the attacker. I wonder how that happened." I took in a sharp breath. I wasn't proud of their deaths but I was a monster after all. A monster trying to pretend that it's a nice, innocent girl.

"Why do you hate me?" I asked. I didn't care for subterfuge now. I only wanted answers.

He chuckled lightly but his eyes glinted dangerously as he looked outside. "I don't hate you, but it's better if we weren't friends."

"Better if we weren't friends? Then why are you talking to me?"

"I was curious." And with that he swept past me with his family out of the cafeteria.

With that event to ponder about, I picked up my sandwich and resumed eating.