As we approached the school I noticed the Silver Volvo of the Cullen's by the only spare space left so reluctantly I pulled in just as they stepped out from the car.
I smiled politely and helped Mixie out of the back before turning to face them. As expected they were stood there smiling except Rosalie.
"Good Morning." I spoke shyly, I noticed Edwards eyes flicked to my hands so I pulled my sleeves uncomfortably. I went to turn to walk to the school when a happy voice chimed behind me.
"Morning, would you mind if we sat with you at lunch?" I looked over my shoulder to confirm that it was Alice speaking before looking to my family. They smiled hesitantly before shrugging remembering we were trying to be polite and at least at lunch we would all be there.
"Sure, see you then." I felt their eyes on us as we walked into the school.
We parted ways soon enough arranging to meet at the cafeteria doors again. The morning was more bearable than yesterday and I found myself nearly paying attention even though I knew the answers.
I had to dodge Mike again but I did sit next to a nice girl in Trig called Angela, she didn't talk much but it was a comfortable silence and she defiantly seemed more genuine than any of the others I had come across.
All to soon it was lunch and I was dreading it but for some reason I was excited as well. I got to their first and smiled widely as my family slowly came together and silently we went to the line collecting generous helpings of food before heading to the large empty table.
"Sorry that you have to sit with us today Sash maybe tomorrow you can sit with your friends if all goes well." I knew the others may feel the same but I wasn't really fussed about the people in my classes they just seemed more interested in gossiping or boys and it that really didn't interest me. I had my family that's all I needed.
"No its okay I wouldn't want to miss this." Sasha replied happily tucking in like the rest of us.
At that moment the Cullen's approached, none of us looked up until they were right next to us.
"Can we join you?" Alice asked again smiling brightly.
"Carry on we left that side clear for you." We sat on one side while they filled the other. I looked up to see Edwards smouldering topaz eyes staring at me with an amazing crooked smile on his face that nearly made my breath hitch.
"Got enough food there." He asked still smiling.
"Hey just cause there's no bears or lions here there's no need to get jealous of our healthy appetites." I shot back at him laughing lightly. Emmett's booming laughter echoed around the cafeteria causing even more people to look at us.
Darnel took advantage of his distraction and quickly switched his empty tray for Emmett's full one and immediately started eating again. We all cracked up at that as Emmett stared shocked at his now empty tray.
"Hey" He said quietly looking at Darnel who immediately looked up smiling.
"What it's not like you were going to have it?" He smiled, I could tell he was still a bit nervous but he was trying.
Emmett froze for a moment contemplating this for a moment before a childish grin spread on his face.
"I suppose that's fair." I smiled at their interaction maybe this could work.
"Max" I looked at Jasper surprised not nearly as surprised as Max though.
"Yea" He answered slightly hesitantly.
"I was wondering if yourself and your family would like to join us to play base ball this evening."
"There's going to be a storm tonight so we can play properly without any one hearing us, its usually so much fun and it would be great if you could come then maybe." Alice explained in a Sasha fashion so with a quick look to us Max replied cutting her off.
"Yea sure that would be fine." Max seemed to relax slightly.
"Yay that's great we'll come and show you the way to clearing we might have to run some of the way." We all smiled at that, we loved to run. (Unless we were being chased.)
The lunch continued in that way and I watched as my family slowly relaxed and joined in conversations. I mainly stayed silent and I noticed Edward seemed to do the same.
Five minutes before the bell we parted, I walked Mixie to her next lesson while she smiled and talked. I left her with some friends before hurrying to my own next class, Biology.
I arrived minutes before the bell went only to find everyone was there, I refused to look at any one until I caught his scent.
My head snapped up and my eyes found him sitting at a desk looking straight back at me and I couldn't tear my eyes from his own haunting topaz gaze.
The teachers voice finally snapped me out of my staring contest. Mr Banner if I remember rightly (and I usually do.)
"Isabella Brown is it." Great another smart one I thought sarcastically as my head snapped to his bearded face.
"Bella" My automatic response now.
"Yes, yes" He answered dismissively. "Now go take your seat by Mr Cullen so I can start my lesson."
I bit my tongue and walked slowly towards my new seat glad that we noticed them Monday lunch time before I came to the class because I knew I wouldn't of been able to control my reaction if I just found one of them sat in my class.
I smiled gently at him sitting on my stool at the edge of the table. I was a bit uncomfortable but mainly because he got the window seat. I took at deep breath trying to calm down only to find myself intoxicated by his scent.
Mr Banner began his lecture droning on endlessly to which I dutifully took notes looking at the vampire beside me every once and a while.
It passed that way for 10 minutes until I heard him speak softly besides me.
"So, you have pretty sensitive hearing then?" He spoke so low that I knew no human would hear us and I couldn't help smiling. Of course he figured that out thanks to the reaction we had last night at a growl we shouldn't have heard.
" You could say that but then again you're the one that ease drops on peoples minds." I was hoping but bringing that up I could get more information as well as keep him talking. (Okay so maybe I liked his voice just a little)
"Except yours" I looked up from my note taking to see his brow was furrowed annoyance evident in his eyes. "Your family's minds to are a little clouded but you not even a whisper." His head cocked to the side asking silent questions.
"I guess I'm just special that way." I teased lightly avoiding telling him that Mixie had the same problem with his family but I did see his crooked smile grace his features.
"Will you be able to handle running with vampires?" I had to hold back a snort of laughter (Yes a snort not the nicest noise but everyone does it). We may not be vampires but we can keep up with them.
"I'll think we'll manage." I smirked slightly not meeting his eyes.
We stayed silent through out the rest of the lesson except for a few glances now and again. I couldn't help but relax as I left his honey and wild flower scent surround me.
The bell rang and I walked slowly out of the classroom listening as his footsteps exited behind me and I felt a cold hand touched my shoulder lightly, not expecting it I couldn't hold back the flinch.
"I'm sorry Bella I shouldn't of" His expression surprised me; he really did look upset so I cut him off before he could get any further.
"It's fine, your all just to bloody quiet for your own good." I was trying to lift the mood and damn I am just that good it worked.
"I just wanted to know that we'll probably be round at about 6 if that's okay?" He asked smiling.
"Yea that's fine will we need rain coats or anything?"
"No Alice says it's going to hit over town but the clearing will be clear of any rain?" He froze and his eyes went wide. (Oohh he let something slip)
I couldn't stop the smirk that appeared on my face.
"And how may I ask does Alice know where it's going to rain??" I tried to ask in a serious tone but it's not every day a vampire slips up so I take my wins when I can get them.
" I don't suppose you'd believe she likes the weather channel?" I could tell he was flustered so I just shook my head. "Can I explain later?"
"Sure, you haven't pushed us for answers, we wouldn't do that to you." I hoped I was being reassuring but it was true not one of them had so much as mentions Max's obvious gift and I'm guessing they know it was Darnel controlling the air, so I was grateful to avoid the questions and would extend them the same courtesy. "I better get to gym, see you later."
"Thanks." He replied softly before we both turned and walked away heading to our respective classes.
Gym was fun we played volleyball and guess what Mike and Jessica weren't on my team. (Silent happy dance)
I handed in my now completed slip and met my family at the car in a considerably better mood than this morning which my family noted as we pulled out of the parking lot.
"So Bella what's with the happy mood?" Sasha questioned smiling coyly
"Don't you start that Sash you can't say much" I was trying to be evasive but I have to say talking to Edward wasn't as bad as the last time. I looked in the rear view mirror to spot the rest of the tribe still looking at me. "You lot as well, I can tell your looking forward to tonight."
At this Connor started talking animatedly to Darnel and Max and Sasha was talking to Mixie about what clothes they should wear. (Which reminds me.)
"Sasha you don't have to worry about the rain coats Alice told Edward it wouldn't rain where we're going to be." Sasha looked at me for a minute looking puzzled and I met Max thoughtful grey eyes.
I pulled up to our home and watched as they all went their separate group, Mixie and Sasha probably to set our outfits, Connor and Darnel to the games room. Max and me headed towards the kitchen to make omelette and chips for a quick dinner.
Max was cutting the potatoes and I heated the pan and mixed the eggs.
"I don't think Alice got the weather report from the weather channel." I tried to sound casual as my mind worked a mile a minute trying to think of how she could know.
Naturally Max cottoned on raising an eyebrow also lots in his thoughts before he seemed to remember something.
"Did you manage to find out anything about his own special gift?" Ahh Max you know me well. He knew I would of asked about that trying to get information while his was split from his family.
"Of course" I said in a mock-offended tone. " You know how Mixie hears things like little bits that doesn't always make sense?" I knew he did but I was trying to explain it better than 'clouded'.
"Yes"
"Well I think that how he hears us" I knew I wouldn't get away with that so I reverted to Edwards own word. "He said that your minds seem 'clouded'" I nearly scoffed at that because honestly mine made more sense but I thought a direct quote would be easier for Max to swallow so he knew I wasn't trying to hide anything or play down a situation which I admit I may have done in the past a couple hundred times or so.
Max seemed pretty happy, for a moment until his eyes turned suspicious and I was left for a second trying to think what I could have said for the mood change and drawing a blank.
"What do you me 'your minds' Bells?" Oh that, well its not much of a big deal I was the same to Mix so he shouldn't take it to badly right.
"Total Blank just like Mix" I had to smile at that as well as resist the urge to poke out my tongue (again) and run around going 'Ha ha they can't read my mind loser' but being the mature person I was I stuck to the smile.
"Really, I guess there's nothing in your head after all" He said teasingly shrugging his shoulder as if he expected as much; I smacked him playfully on the shoulder glad he took it well.
"Probably more likely that I'm to smart for them and block their minds subconsciously to protect them from all that knowledge but with 'simple' minds they can handle seeing there's nothing substantial in them." I teased back as his deep laugh echoed around the kitchen as we continued to make the meal.
I loved times like this when my family is happy enough just to tease and laugh, I had to admit they didn't come often. So we continued laughing and joking calling them down for dinner and for once in a long time just having a meal with laughter and fun.
It was refreshing to say the least.
Everyone helped clean up and we told them about Alice but for some reason no one was really worried after today they seemed to have relaxed a lot more about the Cullen's. It wasn't until I told them about Edward that Mix decided to drop another bomb on us, I had just finished telling her that he couldn't read my mind when she decided to add to the conversation.
"So he can hear me??" She looked slightly confused as I nodded. "Huh wonder why I can't hear him then." We all gaped at her (That happened more than it should).
"Uh Mix I thought you said they meant us no harm before, how could you be sure if you can't read Edward?" Darnel asked calmly his light blues eyes staring directly into Mixie's brown one.
I watched as Mix rolled her eyes at us before replying.
"I can't read him but his got six other members to his family, they do tend to think about each other like Alice thinks he can be a bit quiet and reclusive but they are close like Max and Bella are while Emmett and Jasper mess around with him playing pranks and also trying to surprise him. Emmett was trying to plan something involving Jasper from what I could get."
We all started laughing just imagining the Vampire acting like kids fooling around like we do. It was refreshing to see them in a new light. We had come to trust them a little and the insight at lunch at how they relaxed and were opening up to us as we were to them and now Mixie's little tid bit's of info just made them seem so human.
Just like that inspiration struck and I knew how to have a lot of fun at the base ball game tonight and how to prove to Edward that we could handle running with vampires.
I looked up at the clock realising I had about 50 minutes to get the others on board and devise a plan of action. An evil smirk that could make even James shudder appeared on my face.
"What are you planning Bella?" Connor looked up at me with worried eyes knowing that smile all to well.
"I think I may just have a game plan guys" Instantly they smiled back knowing just how calculating I could be.
They wont know what hit them and that was a promise.
EPOVI was beaming as I made my way to my Volvo. Everything had gone better than expected.
At lunch they seemed to talk with each other really well even Rosalie managed to join in some conversations with out sneering although she didn't let up the glares at Bella but she didn't seem to notice being to engrossed in watching her family and I couldn't stop myself from examining her.
She really was a natural beauty with her heart shaped pale face and flowing wavy hair and a smile that left me almost speechless and thankful that I had vampire reactions.
I was a little worried about the state of her hands, she had bruised knuckles and seemed to have been bleeding but no one mentioned it and I didn't want to upset the atmosphere.
Biology was interesting to say the least, it was nice to have a private conversation although my vampire reactions seemed to let me down as I slipped basically telling her Alice also had a gift.
I had a feeling that if she asked I would tell her anything which was unsettling to tell the least but I should have known that Bella was not the kind of person to push some into answering questions unless it was absolutely necessary.
So here I was trying to get the grin off my face as my family joined me.
You know even without my ability I would be able to tell that your chat with Bella went well.
I nodded in acknowledgement to Jasper as we climbed into my car and speed of towards our home.
Edward, my visions seem a little fuzzy when it comes to themI looked at Alice slightly alarmed knowing how much each of us relies on her ability and even though I was sure they weren't a threat to us it was still a little unnerving to have Alice's ability as well as my own less than perfect now that we were spending time with them.
"Talk to Carlisle." I told Alice, as we pulled into our long driveway, knowing if any one may be able to give us answers he could and the fact that thanks to the game he would be home. We all loved to play base ball when we had the chance.
Alice called Carlisle when we walked in an Esme came in from the garden wiping her hand in a towel before standing by Carlisle while Alice told them the trouble she's been having.
Carlisle listened intently and I heard his thought stream through my mind as he processed the new information before speaking.
"I don't think it's to much to worry about Alice, I thought you may have a little trouble, it's seems to me that they have very complicated minds and don't make decisions lightly always looking at the situation from many angles and only deciding the best course when necessary."
It's common in people who have been through a lot to keep as many options open as possible and also why you maybe only catching glimpse Edward.
He added in his mind making me think automatically to how Bella came to get the scars wondering if it had anything to do with the other vampires the had run into.
Everyone seemed to accept his explanation although Alice still looked agitated and Rosalie pissed as usual thinking they were adding to the problems of our family.
Alice's face went blank and I saw Emmett floating before she blocked my mind and started laughing hysterically. My mouth was open in shock and I was about to ask her what the hell happened.
Not a chance Eddie and keep your mouth shut or I'll tell Emmett how you were staring at Bella at lunch.
I shut up after that knowing Emmett would torment me relentlessly shrugging when I met everyone's curious gaze.
"Don't ask me, talk to the Pixie." I knew that name would get her angry but I knew she had some evil plot in mind.
Alice ignored the questions and announced that it was time to get ready for base ball sending the others to get changed and set up the clearing.
I was apprehensive at twenty to six waiting for Alice to emerge from her room. She had forced us into the proper out fits that we had bought as a joke a couple of years ago consisting of blue and white stripped base ball trousers matching top and dark blue long sleeved thin jumpers to wear underneath the top.
Alice finally came down stairs bouncing in excitement as we drove off towards their house.
Sorry it took me so long to update, enjoy the chapter, the next one should really be fun Please review any comment welcome and any ideas on how you think I could improve also appreciated.