Chapter 2
BPOV
He was tall, blonde, and had miraculous topaz eyes. I didn't know who he was or what he was doing there in the office, but I didn't care. I stared at him, and he suddenly noticed. "Hello," he said. I gasped for breath. Was he talking to me?
"Hi," I managed to get out. He smiled and turned away, towards the lady at the front desk. He was a new student, getting his schedule. I was surprised. He acted like he had known me for awhile, but I didn't remember him. I was thinking about my schedule when he walked up to me. "I see we have the same schedule," he said knowingly. I stared back at him, speechless. How did he know?
"Um, sure," I said, trying to recollect my brains before I blew it. He smiled, and then held out his hand.
"I'm James. I'm new here. You're Isabella Swan, right?" he asked. How did he know my name? Was the town really that busy? I thought he was new here, anyways.
"Just Bella," I said. "But how did you know? Aren't you new here?" I voiced my questions, and a humorous look washed over his face.
"New to Forks High School, but not new to Forks. I'm a freshman. Everyone in town knows about Chief Swan's daughter visiting for a year." He laughed. "I was just surprised when I walked in and you were there."
"Oh," I said. "I'm new here, but I'll be graduating next year. You shouldn't have the same classes as me. My classes are much too advanced for a freshman!" Did I seriously just say that?
"I'm in advanced classes," he said, laughing yet again. This dude was very cheerful. "I take Trigonometry and Biology and classes like that. That's why I'm in your classes." We walked to homeroom in silence, and I was actually glad about the awkwardness of it all. It was new and unusual, just like – wait, what is his name? Oh yeah, – James. Homeroom was good; the teachers were awesome up until my pre-lunch class. Trigonometry. Ew.
I was glad when lunch came. The cafeteria was huge, though. James had been on a tour of the school so he quickly ran through the procedures of the complicated cafeteria lines. I finally ended up at a table with him and a few of his freshman friends, holding a bottle of lemonade and a veggie burger. The lemonade was good, but the food was gross. I got up and dumped my food in the trash and made for the salad bar. Hopefully, their salad would at least be edible.
I grabbed a bowl and put some lettuce in it, topping it with blue cheese dressing – my favorite – and some croutons and cucumbers. I made my way back to the table and sat next to James. He smiled and laughed – a usual habit of his, I figured – and then for some reason kept glancing at me. Then I realized he was looking at my salad. Weird. "Want some salad?" I offered.
"No, I am on a special diet." he said. He looked away, seeming embarrassed. "so, when did your plane land in Washington?" he asked, trying to change the subject. He was clearly making no progress.
"Um, I landed around 5:30." I said uncaringly. He realized his attempt was unnecessary and that I would not question further, so we dropped the subject. I checked the time, and realized that, if I didn't hurry, I would be late for my gym class. Ugh, gym. Who thought of the stupid idea of physical education?
James was still at the table when I left, and he was going to me late, I knew it. I walked into the girl's locker room with only seconds to spare, and changed into my mandatory P.E shirts and sweatpants to substitute the shorts. If I was going to have to do this, I might as well be comfortable.
Today was rugby. What a terrible way to start out at a new school! Oh well, I just had to suck it up and play! I ran out onto the field and soon my team learned to leave me out of the game. At least it wasn't tackle rugby. James walked up to me. He was on the opposite team.
"Why aren't you playing?" he asked me. "You should be really good at sports like this!" he explained. I laughed heartily for the first time since my plane to Forks had landed.
"Really, anything that involves hand-eye coordination I suck at!" I said. He laughed at this and ran off again. I sighed and turned to watch. Something suddenly hit the back of my head and I fainted.
I woke up in the hospital. Charlie, James, and a man I didn't recognize were there. "Hi, Bella." James said. He smiled and looked toward Charlie like he had no idea what to say.
"You fainted, Bella, but Doctor Cullen was able to tell whether or not it was serious." Charlie explained. I laughed and put my hand up to my head. It felt fine, there wasn't even a bump.
"Bella, there is no damage whatsoever." Dr. Cullen said. "You are perfectly fine and can leave now." He smiled and his perfect white teeth held me in awe for longer than necessary.
"Dr. Cullen, are you sure she's okay?" James asked doubtfully. He looked at the expression on my face and I guess he thought something dreadful had happened to me.
"I'm fine! I was just thinking!" I scoffed. Everyone laughed at this, but I didn't understand what was so funny. I shrugged it off. The door to the room suddenly opened and a boy about my age walked in.
"Oh, this is my son, Edward." Said Dr. Cullen. He walked over and hugged the boy, then walked him over to us. "Edward, this is Bella Swan, the Chief's daughter. Bella, this is Edward."
Edward reached out to shake my hand and an odd look washed over his face. He looked as though he smelled something bad and that he was going to throw up because of it. "Hi, Bella." Edward said, choking from something I couldn't name.
"Hi, Edward. I didn't see you at school today. You go to Forks High, right?" I asked carefully. He smiled halfway, and James laughed. "What's so funny?" I asked.
"The only high school in Forks is Forks High. That's it." James explained. I felt myself blushing and I turned my head away in embarrassment.
"I didn't know." I said.
"Well, I'll just be going." Edward said. He turned and half ran from the room. I wondered why, but I didn't bother to ask. Dr. Cullen smiled and ushered us out of the room, saying that I was perfectly fine and to come back if we needed anything.