Sunrise, for the First Time

Disclaimer: I am not Stephenie Meyer, as you probably know. Unfortunately, nor am I Bella or a sparkly immortal being of any kind. At any rate, Twilight nor its characters belong to me.

Chapter 7: Minor Irritations

I sat at the breakfast table staring at my cereal, sinking my spoon into it every few seconds or so. I ignored Charlie's worried glances from his own plate of eggs.

I had to see Jake. I knew that Edward would be furious if he found out, and it wouldn't be very easy to keep it from him, but I couldn't just let Jake think I didn't care for him anymore. I had tried to call, but I never got past Billy; after the fourth call, they just let the phone ring.

What was worse was believing that the Quileutes might be planning to attack the Cullens. I couldn't let that happen.

So, I was scheduled to work this afternoon. I would call in sick, possibly exaggerate the extent of my injuries. It would not be hard, considering the shiny new bruise on my cheekbone (I had tried to cover it up with makeup, but I settled for just letting my hair fall halfway in front of my face). Then, I would drive to La Push and return home before my shift would have ended.

I nodded to myself and got up to put my cereal away when I heard a knock on the door.

I jumped. "I'll get it, it's Edward coming to pick me up for school," I mumbled to Charlie, hoping he wouldn't have a chance to protest.

"Bella, I don't want --"

"Hello? Bella? Charlie?" Chimed a high, bell-like voice. Alice walked in the room. She hugged both of us, then looked at my face. "Hmm, it's not so bad," she said, gesturing to my bruise. I snorted, but she only laughed. "Nothing a little Dior won't fix." She produced a light pink makeup pouch and got out a tiny concealer palate. "Upstairs, then, so I can work my magic. Edward's waiting for us in the car."

I sighed, inwardly grimacing at the idea of just how much of her $78 concealer round would be needed to cover up the huge purple blotch on my cheek, but followed her upstairs.

As she was gingerly applying the makeup to my face, I noticed something strangely distant about Alice's demeanor. I realized that I had expected her to be happier to see me, at least, more so than she seemed to be. She answered my unspoken questions, however, before I could ask.

"Bella," she said, speaking very quietly, I assumed, so as not to alert her patiently waiting brother outside, "I know what you're planning to do this afternoon, and if you don't change your mind by the end of the school day, I will tell Edward."

I gaped at her. "But Alice, Jake is my friend, and it's my fau--"

"I don't care. It's not safe for you."

"You're wrong, Alice! Jake's never hurt me; not until the other day, anyway, and that was an accident."

"No, Bella, you're wrong!" She said sternly, then lowered her voice again. "Bella, I can see you going to La Push, but after that, your future disappears." She put her makeup away, having finished, and stood. I thought she was going to berate me more, but something in my expression must have changed her mind. "I understand that he's your friend, but I can't let you do anything that will put you in danger; Edward would never forgive me." She paused. "I would never forgive me."

She broke out into a sudden smile. "Now," she said at her normal volume. "I think I did a wonderful job, if I do say so myself!" She indicated the mirror.

I looked at myself. She had done wonderfully; there was only the faintest hint of purple on my skin. I sighed. So much for my plan.

Alice seemed to note the sudden change in my future, because she hugged me and whispered, "Don't worry, Bella." Then, louder, "Shall we?"

I nodded and followed her downstairs and out the door, calling a brief goodbye to Charlie before he could object.

When we got in the car, Edward smiled sincerely at me. "Wow, Alice, you really do know what you're doing, huh?" I assumed he was referring to my makeover.

Alice only nodded and got in the back seat. Edward held my hand as drove us to school, but he kept glancing in the rearview mirror at Alice with an amused but inquisitive expression on his face.

---------------------------------------------------

When we arrived in the school parking lot, Edward helped me out of the car. "I have a bit of a confession to make, love," he said as he took my hand in his.

"Oh?" Was all I said. I was worried that perhaps he had overheard Alice's and my conversation earlier, after all.

He laughed. "Calm down, it's nothing horrible! At least, I don't think so."

I sighed, but I couldn't contain my smile. "What is it, Edward?" I said, pretending to be impatient.

He raised his eyebrows and turned his mouth down, feigning remorse. "I'm afraid that I… What was your word? Dazzled?… I dazzled our office secretary into manipulating my time schedule so that my classes match yours as much as possible." He shrugged. "It appears that we have all but one period together."

I laughed, but then adopted a stern expression. "Well, Edward, that was a very contemptible thing to do."

"I know; I'm ever so sorry."

"Too late now; I shall just have to punish you later." I said, then blushed, realizing the possible shades of meaning to my statement. Edward burst into laughter.

Alice, whom I had all but forgotten was standing beside us, groaned. "Alright, I'm officially leaving. See you two at lunch." She smiled and skipped off.

I looked after her, then back at Edward. "Well, do you have English with me?"

"I do." He smiled, and we headed toward first period.

Inside the classroom, Mike lit up when he saw me. "Bella! Where were you yesterday? Do you need my notes?" He asked, then seemed to notice Edward. He only stared at first Edward, then me, flashing his eyes back and forth so much that I thought he might be having a seizure.

Then Mike's gaze settled on Edward. He looked almost accusatory. Edward stiffened and closed his eyes for an instant, but regained control over himself. He turned to me. "Where do you usually sit, love?" He asked, a bit loudly for our vicinity, but I merely gestured to my desk and let him lead me there, while he took the seat behind me.

I suddenly remembered Mike's previous question. "Did I miss anything important?" I asked, hoping to lighten the mood.

Mike only shook his head and stared toward the front of the classroom. So much for my notes. I looked back to Edward, hoping to find out what Mike had been thinking to make him so angry, when the rest of the students started to file into the room and the teacher began class.

Mike glared in our direction every few minutes or so during the next hour, and every time he did, Edward would reach up and play with my hair or lean forward to whisper something to me.

----------------------------------------------------

The rest of the school day offered more of the same, with most of my friends (who would more than likely be better referred to as "acquaintances" after this) first realizing the status of Edward's and my relationship, then giving both of us the cold shoulder. I would have been upset, but then again, if they wanted it to be a competition between them and Edward, I had no qualms about who the victor would be.

Angela was the only one to accept my decision. She walked over to me as we were dressing back out after gym. "Bella," she said, a little hesitant.

I sighed. I was not in the mood to argue my relationship; but then again, Angela had always been so nice to me. "Yes?" I asked her, attempting a smile.

"I know it's none of my business, so you don't have to talk about this if you don't want to," she said nervously, "But I just wanted to make sure… I mean, if you're back with Edward, and that makes you happy, then I completely support you. But I wanted to let you know that if you need to talk about it, or if you're not sure it's what you want… You know, I'm here."

I had to give her credit. At least she wasn't just gossiping behind my back; she had the nerve to address me with her concerns. What's more, she seemed to actually care. "I know, Angela, and thank you. But I'm positive. Edward never meant to hurt me, and we're happy now." Or at least, we would be.

She nodded and returned my smile. "Okay. Good," she added, seeming sincere. "Well if I hear anyone else say anything, I'll be sure to set them straight."

"I'm sure they just want what's best for me." I said half-heartedly, embracing the lie.

She only shrugged and hugged me. "I'm glad you're happy."

I really had to give her credit.

She changed the subject then, and I put forth more effort than usual into the conversation. I promised to go shopping with her for prom dresses soon, and actually began to look forward to it.

----------------------------------

Edward was waiting by the car for me at the end of the day. I smiled as I approached him; even after only an hour apart, I had missed him.

Edward returned my smile, but he seemed troubled about something. He kissed my forehead and put his arms around me. "Good day?"

I nodded. "The parts with you in it. You?"

"The parts with you in it, but I'm hoping it will improve yet. Would you like to come over to my house tonight? I believe Alice was planning to invite you if I didn't."

I nodded, then remembered: "Oh wait!" I exclaimed. "I can't; I have to work."

"You're still working at Newton's?"

"Yes."

"Call in sick; you've suffered an injury recently."

I stared at him. It wasn't like Edward to suggest I not honor a commitment. Never mind that I had been planning to do just that before Alice and her remarkable foresight intervened. "I'm not sure I can do that, Edward."

"Then quit."

"Edward!" Now I was starting to get angry. What was his problem? "I'm saving up for college! Not all of us have been collecting money for a century," I said, a little too loudly; but Edward didn't seem to be too concerned about eavesdroppers.

"I'll give you anything you need, Bella; you don't need to waste your time with menial tasks or minimum wage."

"You know I won't let you pay for college, Edward! What's gotten into you?"

Edward glared, but not at me. His focus was directed behind me, to my left. "Newton," he said under his breath.

I looked behind me, and, sure enough, there was Mike.

"He's hoping to have a word with you this afternoon, as soon as the burden of my presence has been lifted. I would rather he not be freed from his reservations." Edward was livid.

I looked at Edward, making my decision. "So an evening with the Cullens sounds nice, so long as no one is arguing." I said the last part with particular emphasis, still a bit miffed, but determined to put Edward in a better mood. He had only been back for two days and already had been more angry than not during our time together. I walked around to the passenger side of the car, opening the door. "Are we leaving?" I asked.

Edward nodded and attempted to smile. When we got into the car, he kissed my hand. "Thank you," he said, then started the engine.

"You're welcome." We sped out of the parking lot.

Unfortunately for both of us, the problem with Mike was nothing compared to what would come later.