I do not own anything. only the plot and original characters. Please enjoy and review :D
Dartmouth
I was leaving today with Jasper to go see J. Jenks. Jasper said we had to look professional, so I let Alice dress me in a pearl grey sheath. Jasper dressed in black slacks and a white button-up shirt. I walked down the stairs with my brother to say good-bye to the rest of the family. We had all gathered in the big house that morning for 'breakfast'. I was really the only one eating while everyone else watched.
When we reached the bottom of the stairs, Edward's eyes landed on me. His eyes ran up and down my outfit before landing on my face with a huge smile. I blushed, remembering what we did last night.
"Focus, Bella," Jasper urged. I nodded and thought of something else. "We still need to give you a few directions on what to do."
"Yeah, Bella." Alice strode to my side and took my arm. We sat on the couch while the whole family gave me tips on how to behave.
"Okay, Bella," Esme began. "All your actions must be dragged out and exaggerated. It will make Jasper's less frequent movements less noticeable."
"And don't try to move so much," added Emmett.
"Humans cannot look at something for too long, but try your best to do just that," said Rosalie. I nodded.
"You also can't let him see the difference between us," said Jasper.
"That's why I had to make your skin extra pale." Alice smiled. "You also have to act comfortable around Jasper. Make it seem like there's nothing fearful or unusual about him."
"Guys," said Edward. "I think your overwhelming her."
"No, I think I got it." I tried to remember. "Exaggerate movements, try to focus on one thing for a while, don't fidget, act natural…"
"Impressive," Carlisle said. Everyone smiled at me.
"Okay, lets go." Jasper held out his hand and I took it. I waved good-bye and quickly pecked Edward on the lips. We walked to Alice's Porsche and drove off to Seattle. We drove to a big corporation building and parked. My heart started beating wildly and I started to panic. What if I didn't do this right? What if, because of me, I expose my family for what they really are?
"Bella," Jasper said sharply. I turned to face him. "You'll do fine. Stop panicking." He smiled and I smiled back. I focused on my heart rate and slowed it down. Jasper nodded his head in approval and we walked into the building.
There were people running around inside the business, maybe trying to get somewhere important. We walked up to a lady sitting behind a big desk.
"Okay, Bella. I'm going to let you do this part. Go up to the lady and ask for Mr. Scott. When she asks who you are, say you are Mr. Jasper and Mrs. Cullen. She's new so she won't recognize me." I nodded and he pushed me towards the desk. The pretty blonde looked up at me.
"Hello, ma'am. How may I help you?"
"I'm here to see Mr. Scott," I said shortly. I tried to put some superiority in my voice, knowing that I would be able to intimidate her with Jasper by my side.
"Do you have an appointment?" She swooned for a second over Jasper and returned her attention to me.
"Not exactly."
"It could be a while then. Let me see if he is expecting you. Name?"
"Mr. Jasper and Mrs. Cullen." I smiled at my new last name.
She nodded and typed something on her intercom and it beeped. A man's demanding voice came out of it.
What is it April? I told you that I am very busy.
"I know, sir, but there are two people here to see you."
Tell them to schedule an appointment and wait. I cannot attend them now. I looked to Jasper with horror. Now we had to wait and I would get more nervous. Jasper nodded reassuringly and stepped forward.
"Name," he whispered.
"Oh, sir? They said their names are Mr. Jasper and Mrs. Cullen. Does that help none?" She looked a little annoyed at her new boss.
What? Send them in immediately! What are you waiting for?
"But you just said…"
Forget about what I said! Just send them up! NOW! You could hear nerves and stress in his voice. Jasper smirked.
"Right away, Mr. Scott." She ushered us through a short hallway, offering us drinks and food. Jasper refused, and so did I, not wanting to make him seem out of place. She showed us to a door and we thanked her, walking in.
There was a balding man sitting at a desk in the middle of the room. He looked up at us as the door closed. He was wearing a stiff cotton, light blue shirt with a dark blue tie. He stood up quickly, his face loosing all of his color and his forehead was drenched in sweat. He stretched his hand over the desk and shook Jasper's hand. I wondered if he was afraid of the coldness of his touch.
"Nice to see you again, Mr. Jasper. I trust you are in good health." Jasper nodded, smirking a little.
"Nice to see you, too, J." They released and J looked over at me. He held out his hand again. I took it and shook quickly.
"I must ask, am I finally meeting Mr. Jasper's lovely wife?" Jasper and I looked at each other and laughed loudly.
"Hardly, J. I am his sister-in-law." We both laughed again and J joined in nervously. Jasper got serious and I followed his motion, crossing my legs slowly.
"I am a bit disappointed, J. Your receptionist was about to make us wait. You know I don't like waiting…" Jasper was having a little too much fun scaring this guy.
"My apologies, Mr. Jasper. It will never happen again. My apologies to you, too, Mrs. Cullen." He seemed scared beyond belief.
"Please," I said softly. "Call me Bella." I had to make him feel a little bit more comfortable.
"Of course," he said and pulled out a legal pad. "Now, what can I do for you today?"
"Papers," I said. Jasper looked at me and I realized J already knew we needed papers. I looked down ashamed. I felt the calm even before I felt embarrassed.
"Certainly," J agreed, giving me a look. Jasper shot him a murderous glare and he quickly straightened up. "What are we talking?"
"The usual," said Jasper and I smiled at J sadly. I had an itch and I scratched it slowly while Jasper crossed his ankles and leaned back.
"Of course," J said as he scribbled on the pad.
Jasper continued to torture J and I continued to make him feel a little more comfortable. We provided all the information, Jasper yelling at the poor man every time he made a mistake. I had to try hard not to laugh. We ordered them for the end of the week and Jasper made it clear that we do not accept extra charges…
"Now when should I have them ready for you?" J continued writing the information on the pad.
"End of the week?" I asked, not sure if so many documents would be finished on time.
"That's a rush order and will cost twice as much." Jasper looked at him with another glare. J quickly corrected himself. "But forgive me. I forgot to whom I was speaking. The end of the week is perfectly fine."
"Just give us the number, J." Jasper was starting to get impatient. He wrote down the number on the bottom of the pad. Before he showed it to us, I felt calm fall over me. I realized Jasper didn't want me to freak out because of the amount. We looked at the number and he was right. I would've freaked out, but I kept my cool. We both nodded.
"Bella," Jasper said. I nodded and reached into my purse while Jasper got up. I stared at him confused. "Give him half, then we'll go." I shook my head before he even finished the sentence.
"That's crazy, Jasper." I went back into my purse and took out the full amount. "Has my brother been treating you like this all along, J?" I smiled wryly at him.
"Please, Bella. There is no problem…" He trailed off as I held up my hand and shook my head. Jasper laughed silently. I handed him the full amount and got up.
"Bella… You really don't have to pay me entirely now."
"But I trust you, J." I smiled warmly. "I'll even give you a bonus when you deliver them to us." He nodded.
"Usual place?" Jasper asked.
"Of course," J said as he shook our hands and promised to see us at the end of the week. We walked back to the car and laughed the whole way back about the way J was feeling and acting.
"I think he has a thing for you, Bella." I shook my head in embarrassment. "Edward won't be too happy to hear that in my thoughts." We both laughed as we thought of Edward's reaction. I was just so excited to see him again. Jasper pulled into a fast-food restaurant, saying something about Esme not having time to cook because of the hunt the rest of the family went on. I ate in the car and we pulled up to the big house when I finished. Edward was waiting on the porch, eyes tight and arms crossed.
"That's nice, Jazz." Edward walked over to us and spoke as we opened the doors. "Of course you wouldn't have said anything to him." Edward grabbed my waist and pulled me to his side.
"What was I supposed to say Edward?" He laughed slightly. "Something like 'please stop feeling that way about my sister. I can read your emotions, you know.' What a great way to keep our secret." They both laughed and Edward nodded. The rest of the family were still out hunting. Jasper went to join them and Edward and I hung around the house.
We were moving today. Jasper and I went to pick up the documents yesterday at a restaurant in Seattle. We politely refused the dinner J offered to buy us and returned home. We finished packing this morning. I was excited, to say the least. I was happy to be going to college with my new family. Dartmouth. Wow. An ivy league school.
We arrived at the airport and took our first-class seats. I quickly dozed off.
"Bella! Wake up!" Alice shook my shoulder from the seat behind me.
"Ugh," I groaned and rolled over into Edward's arms. He chuckled.
"Bella!" Alice shook me again.
"Alice, can't you let me sleep?" I sat up straight, unwillingly. "Edward, please control our sister." He took a swipe at her, but she ducked right on time. Jasper hit Edward's head and I laughed.
"Hey, don't try to hit my wife." Jasper and Edward laughed together.
"Now, why are you waking me up Alice?" I turned to face her.
"We're landing!" she squealed and we all buckled in. When we landed, we grabbed our luggage and got into a huge taxi. We were driven to our new house. It was just like Esme had described it.
The houses were at the end on the street, right next to the lake. There was humongous house on the end of one side, the one we pulled into. It was old-fashioned looking. The house right next to it was very small and old-fashioned looking as well. The house across the street was slightly bigger than the second with the same style. I ogled at its beauty.
"You like?" Edward asked, kissing my cheek. I nodded and everyone chuckled.
Edward and I unloaded our luggage and walked to our house. Everyone did the same and we promised to meet up tomorrow morning in the big house before we went off to school. I walked into the house and froze.
It was beautiful. The first thing you see is a spiraling staircase going up to a second-floor balcony. The living room was to the left while the kitchen and dining room were on the right and stretched out behind the stairs. The entire left wall of the house was replaced with glass, just like the back wall in the old house. There was a beautiful view of the lake. I walked to the window and smiled. Edward came up behind me and hugged me. I leaned into him just as the sun came out from behind a cloud. It was setting against the water, creating a beautiful image in front of us.
"Beautiful," I sighed. He chuckled and I turned to face him. His skin was sparkling as the sun hit it. I touched his face lightly.
"Not with you standing in comparison," he said and it was my turn to chuckle. "Let's go see the rest of the house." He grabbed my hand and we climbed the stairs. We walked the balcony looking over the front hall and into the door directly in front of us. It was right above the living room, so I wasn't surprised to see that the entire left wall was replaced with glass as well.
"How are we going to change and have fun with all our business in the open?" Edward laughed and walked over to the wall. Right next to the closet door was a button. He pressed it and a curtain covered the wall, blocking out the shining sun with its thick fabric. The bed was huge and white, facing the huge window. We walked into the huge closet, filled with clothes already. I chuckled and walked into another door at the other side of the room. I walked into our master bathroom. It was big with a shower, a tub, toilet and sink. I smiled again. I guess this was the life of a Cullen and I would have to get used to it.
"What's at the other end of the hall?" I asked.
"Just two smaller guest rooms. They look like ours with a bed and a few dressers." He smiled and my stomach growled. "Hungry?" I nodded. He took my hand and took me to the kitchen. I took a seat at the island and watched Edward cook me lasagna. I smiled at him. "What?" he asked.
"Nothing. I just feel like a real family watching you cook for me." He laughed.
"It would be more of a family if the woman was in the kitchen, don't you think?"
"Are you going old-timey on me?" He shook his head in mock disbelief.
"Don't worry, Bella. I don't mind cooking for you." We smiled at each other and he put a plate in front of me. I dove in, not realizing how hungry I really was.
"That was delicious, Edward. Thank you, I said as I helped him clean up the kitchen.
"No problem, love." We walked up the stairs and changed for bed. As soon as my head hit Edward's chest, I was out like a light.
I woke up to the sound of a radio. I opened my eyes and saw Edward no where to be found. I got up and walked into the bathroom, where I heard the radio playing.
"Care to join me?" Edward asked from inside the shower. I smiled and stripped off my clothes. I got in and Edward met me with a kiss. "Good morning, gorgeous." I blushed and we showered. We knew we couldn't get carried away with the whole family waiting for us at the big house. We got out, dried off, and got dressed. Well, at least I tried to get dressed.
"Uh, Bella?" Edward sounded nervous as I was pulling jeans on in our huge closet. Edward was already dressed in khaki pants and a white, button-up. He rolled up the sleeves to his elbows and left his hair in a disarray. He pulled on his shoes while I waited for him to continue. "Alice wants you to wear something specific. She said if you don't wear it, she'll 'bring you back and change you herself.'" He shrugged apologetically.
"Ugh," I groaned. "Just give me the outfit." Edward held out a pile of clothes. Alice picked out a mini denim skirt with a blue, dressy tank top. I was happy when I saw that Alice picked out white sandals instead of heels. I dressed quickly and turned around in front of Edward. "How do I look?"
He stared at me for a minute before walking over to me. He pulled out my hair from my ponytail and shook my hair out with his fingers. He handed me a white headband and I put it on. "Perfect," he said. I smiled and applied some natural make-up.
We walked hand-in-hand across the street. The sun was already hidden, but it was warm out. Everyone was waiting outside.
"Hey, guys," I said and walked up to them. "Are we ready to go?" Everyone nodded and Esme handed me something in aluminum foil.
"Egg sandwich, your breakfast." I smiled and took it. We all walked to the garage and the fighting happened.
"That's not fair, Edward!" screamed Rosalie. "We always have to squish in your car. We don't all fit in the Volvo anymore! Not with Bella!" Edward glared at her.
"Then what do you suggest, Rose? Everyone take their respective cars and arise suspicion?" Rose shook her head.
"Besides you always get to drive. Let Bella test out her speed and new car." Rosalie crossed her arms and stared at Edward.
"Here's what we're going to do…" Alice began and they both glared at her.
"What makes you think we have to listen to you?" Rose said.
"Because I'm tired of you two arguing. I'm going in my Porsche with Jasper, Rosalie can go in her M3 with Emmett and Edward can go with Bella in her Camry. There, done!" Alice stormed to her car with Jasper in tow. We all walked to our respective cars and I hoped into the driver's seat.
"Alice says to tell you not to be nervous. All you have to do is step on the gas pedal a little more and follow her car. Rose will be behind us." He laughed suddenly.
"What?" I asked, self conscious.
"I guess it's wife driving day. Esme and Carlisle are going to their new jobs and Esme insisted on driving Carlisle." We had already pulled out and I went at regular speed. Rose honked behind us as I tried to see where Alice had gone. Rose continued to honk and I saw her scowling through the rearview mirror.
"Where did she go Edward?" Edward laughed.
"She's already down the street, Bella. You have to keep up. Once you get used to our speed, you'll love driving as a vampire. Now press on the gas pedal." Edward grabbed my knee and forced it down. I complied and the car shot forward. I quickly pressed on the breaks. "That was a perfect speed. Now try again, but don't get shocked this time."
"But Edward, what if I get us lost anyway? Or worse, what if the cops show up?" Edward looked at me like I'd lost my mind.
"First, we wont get lost. I can always tell you the way. Second," he tapped his forehead. "I'll know if the cops are anywhere near by." We both laughed and I pressed on the gas again. Alice was waiting for me on the curb so I could catch up. Rosalie was right on my tail and sped off to the school.
I felt so bad. I was going 70 in a 35 mph zone. Edward appraised my driving and I have to admit that it was a little fun. Edward said I would get to go even faster when I'm a vampire, but everyone was toning down for my sake. We parked in front of the huge campus and got out.
"Nice job, Bellsy!" Emmett boomed as he got out of the car. "Who knew you had it in you?" He laughed and everyone joined.
"I thought she would never move." Rosalie rolled her eyes, but then laughed. "It's okay, sis. You'll get better."
"I hope so." We all turned and noticed the whole parking lot staring at us.
"And so school begins…" Jasper grabbed Alice's hand and Emmett and Edward followed suit. We all walked together to the main building. I felt self conscious with all the other students staring at me. The boys stared with longing while the girls stared with envy at me Alice, and Rosalie. It was totally opposite for Edward, Emmett and Jasper. I laughed inwardly. Just like Forks High.
We walked into the main hall to see it packed with students getting their schedules and school maps. We all got on the line that said 'C'. Jasper and Rosalie got on the line that said 'H'. As I walked behind Edward, I bumped into someone, hard.
"Oh my goodness. I'm so sorry," I said as I turned to face the person. I froze in shock as I stared at him. He looked me over and landed his green eyes on mine.
"Don't worry about it. I hardly felt it." He held out his hand. "I'm sorry, I didn't quite catch your name. I'm Lucas Mendez. And you are?" I grabbed his hand and shook it quickly.
"Um-uh…" I stuttered, still unable to get over the fact that the boy standing in front of me was the boy I had dreamt of last month. I continued to stare with my mouth open as he laughed. "Bella Cullen-Swan." I said finally.
"Well Bella, I hope to see you in my classes." He walked away just as Edward called my name.
"Who was that, Bella?" He said when I walked up to him, already almost to the front of the line.
"Just I boy I bumped into. I was just being polite." He nodded and we continued to the line.
"Edward Cullen," he said to the lady behind the desk. She quickly found his papers and handed them to him. He thanked her and walked off.
"Isabella Cullen-Swan." She nodded and handed me my own papers. I thanked her and went to my first class.
The first day was very short. Every class was five minutes, only the teacher introducing himself and talking about the expectations for each class. I had Chemistry with Edward and Rosalie, Government with Edward and Jasper, Spanish with Emmett, Edward, and Alice, and Writing was my major class. I took it alone. Edward took AP Biology along with our Chemistry for his major. Jasper took law. Emmett took teaching (who knew?). Alice took Fashion Design. And Rosalie took Engineering. The only class we all had together was Trigonometry.
I was surprised to see that the boy I met that morning, Lucas, was in a couple of my classes. He was in my Writing and Trigonometry class. He saw me in Trig and smiled. I nodded and Edward gave him a look. Alice had a vision and had a worried face for the rest of the class. In Writing, he sat down right next to me and stroke up a conversation.
"Hey. Bella, right?" He smirked and I nodded. "You like writing?"
"Love it," I said. He smiled and agreed with me. "Major?"
"Yes, ma'am. I love it, too." He then looked slightly nervous. "Well, I know it's a little early, but…" He was interrupted by the teacher. I sighed in relief and ran out of the class when the bell rang. I didn't get very far before I felt a hand grab my wrist.
"Bella. Wait up. I was wondering if you wanted to grab an early lunch with me." He looked hopeful.
"I'm sorry, Lucas. I don't think that's a good idea." His face fell and my stomach dropped.
"Why not? You have a boyfriend or something?"
"Not exactly…"
"So what's the problem?"
"I don't think my husband would like that…"
"Husband!" His eyes bulged out. "Who's your husband?"
"I am." Edward wrapped his arm around me and we walked away, leaving a stunned Lucas behind.