A/N: So first of all, YEAH, this is my longest chapter so far! Also, there are direct Twilight quotes in here. Please don't hate me. I wanted to make sure that the information was presented correctly.
I'd love 41 reviews! Thank you and enjoy.
Disclaimer: I don't own any of these characters, they belong to Stephenie Meyer. I only own this shiny purple ring.
Chapter 7-Magnetic Electric
Wow. That's all I can say about this day, just…wow. Everything that happened was just confusing and, and, and…I just don't know! This whole week had been quiet and slow. Alice had been ignoring me as usual, and Edward was still not back in school. I had settled into my routine, and hadn't planned on changing that.
I still couldn't understand everything that happened today. There was just so much. Okay, maybe I need to go over it one more time.
So, it was Thursday, my least favorite day of the week, so of course, everything had to happen on this day.
I walked into the lunchroom and looked at the table in the corner. I stopped, because instead of the regular four people sitting down, there were five. I let out a gasp and hurried to Jessica's table. My heart was beating fast and my breathing was labored. Why was he back? It was so sudden too. Why'd he have to come back on a Thursday? Why not Monday or Friday?
Why today of all days! It was disgusting out, raining on and off, torrential wind and the freezing cold. The cold that appeared so suddenly and then wouldn't leave. Everyday the news reported that it would snow, but it never came. There was still only rain. It had been cold for so long that my toes had been continually numb. That was just another fun perk I have to deal with.
But now, putting this next challenge on top of all the other challenges I was dealing with just wouldn't work. I couldn't deal with his strange silences and creepy eyes now. I had a plan and a schedule to return to, and he just wouldn't fit into it!
My anger and frustration was growing while I stared at the Cullen table, more specifically, at Edward.
He just couldn't interrupt everything! I was do-
My internal rant was cut short because Edward and Alice were both looking at me now.
That was just so creepy and strange. They were both staring straight at me. I really should've asked what that was about…
Alice's expression was worried and upset while Edward's was amused. I just kept staring at their, more specifically, his, face. His eyes were a deep golden brown, as rich as honey and just as sweet. I could feel my mouth turn up in an involuntary smile. I'd waited so long to see his eyes again, those wonderful, deep, rich, sparkling eyes. How I'd love to wake up every morning and look into his eyes and feel lost in the beauty and grace. No one elses eyes could ever compare. Any other eyes I'd see in my whole life would be a disappointment when I remembered his.
I sighed; I could sit here all day and night and just watch him. Watch his eyes, his face, his inhuman grace as he moved. There was something new about him every time I looked. Maybe it was his expressions. I'd never seen a face before that could show so many expressions yet hide them so well. His eyes were always the give away. They explained everything he was feeling, those wonderful golden windows to his soul.
I smiled happily, content with just watching him from afar. Don't get me wrong, I'd love to talk to him and sit closer to him, but so many things had happened that made that seem impossible.
I tore my gaze away from the table in the corner and noticed that the cafeteria was nearly empty. I rushed to biology, not wanting to be late.
I plopped down into my chair and waited for class to start. Mr. Banner had written, LAB TODAY! BE PREPARED, in big capital letters on the black board. I was excited, this would give me a chance to talk to him under normal circumstances.
I felt, more than heard, when he sat down at the table. A jolt of excitement and worry ran through my body. I was so ready for this!
"Hello, my name is Edward Cullen. I didn't have a chance to introduce myself before. You're Bella Swan, right?" he asked in a wonderfully musical voice that I remembered much to well. But he was perfectly polite to me today; very different from the first time I'd spoken with him. He was waiting for me to say something. But I couldn't think of anything normal to say. I internally groaned; I so wasn't ready for this.
"Is Alice ok? She's been acting a little strange lately," I managed to spit out.
He laughed, "She's fine, I haven't noticed any differences in her. But I'll tell her of your concern."
"No," I persisted stupidly, "she was acting very strangely. Not her usual happy self."
He seemed confused, "Do you know her very well, then?"
"No, not really, but…" I decided to let it go, and looked away awkwardly.
Mr. Banner thankfully started class at that moment. I tried to concentrate while he explained what we'd be doing.
It was pretty much a lab where we used a Bunsen burner, four different substances, and Petri dishes to grow "special" bacteria. Fire, chemicals, and me were never a good combination. Ever.
"Okay everyone. Come up and take one Bunsen burner for your group," Mr. Banner called out.
Edward was out of his seat and back in a matter of seconds. He plugged it in and had a fire going before I could even blink. I looked at him, surprised.
"Ready partner?" Edward asked. I looked up to see him smiling a huge wonderful crooked smile. I nodded weakly, staring idiotically up at him. His smile faltered and I quickly looked away, blush creeping up my neck.
I grabbed the beaker and filled it with water while Edward collected the four test tubes from Mr. Banner's desk. I placed the tray over the flame and put the beaker on top. Pleased with my accident free job, I leaned back against my chair. Edward was already seated with the test tubes and petri dishes. He had already labeled the first dish with, Substance 1, in a wonderful curly script. He handed me two of the dishes to label. I didn't want to ruin them with my almost illegible scrawl, but he was waiting patiently. I labeled the dishes Substance 3 andSubstance 4, and handed them back to Edward.
The water was boiling so we placed the four test tubes in the water and let them heat. They had to sit in the water for fifteen minutes, so we had some free time now.
"It's too bad that it didn't snow, isn't it?" Edward asked. I had the feeling that he was forcing himself to make small talk with me.
"Not really," I answered honestly.
"You don't like the cold." It wasn't a question.
"Or the wet," I added.
"Forks must be a difficult place for you to live," he mused.
"You have no idea," I muttered darkly.
We talked like that for most of the time. He was asking questions about my life and Phoenix. Whenever I answered, he was absolutely fascinated by what I'd said. I still can't understand what I said that had him so captivated. I was just trying to be honest, nothing so interesting there.
"You put on a good show," he said slowly, "but I'd be willing to bet that you're suffering more than you let anyone see."
I grimaced at him and looked away.
"Am I wrong?"
I tried to ignore him.
"I didn't think so," he murmured smugly.
What was also strange was the fact that he read me so well. It's like he knew everything I was feeling and had felt since I'd been in Forks.
Mr. Banner called out, "Okay everyone, it's been fifteen minutes. Take out your test tubes."
Without thinking, I reached across the table and grabbed one of the test tubes. I didn't even feel the heat for the first couple seconds. But as soon as I did, I let out a small scream. I didn't want to drop the test tube on the table, but I didn't know where else I should put it.
I was still holding the burning glass when Edward said hurriedly, "Just drop it Bella."
So I did. It fell against the table and splattered on the floor, the chairs, our books, and my face. I reached up to touch the spot where the over-boiled liquid had touched my skin. It stung and felt hot and raw across my cheek.
The pain started coming then, faster and faster until the tears started falling out of my eyes. I clamped my mouth shut, not wanting to start screaming or moaning in front of the whole class.
That was one of the stupidest things I've ever done. Now, just looking at my hand brought back all the pain and heat.
"Come on Bella. I'm taking you to the nurse," a velvety voice said. I nodded, keeping my eyes closed and clutching my hand to my chest. I shuffled weakly out the door walking in what I could only assume was the way to the nurse's office.
The cool wind felt wonderful against my burning skin. I held out my hand and let the cold raindrops fall against the searing flesh. They fell against my skin and made a quiet sizzling sound. I stopped, ignoring the pulsating burning pain and watched the water evaporate on my hand.
"Bella hurry up. You need to get your hand treated!" his voice was saturated with anxiety and stress. I looked up into his eyes and saw the raw emotions playing across his face. Staring into his eyes the whole world fell away. All I could see was him. The cold wind, the searing pulsing pain, and the anxiety of the moment all fell away. I closed my eyes and it was just me and him and my mind floating away on the soft breeze that was suddenly blowing against my face.
I slowly opened my eyes and I was in the same position just lying down. I looked around confusedly and saw that I was in the nurse's office. My hand was wrapped in gauze and my cheek was layered with a cool hardened cream. I sat up and looked around.
"What time is it?" I asked, panic dominating my voice.
I jumped when the answering voice came from behind me. "The end of biology. Well, the beginning of last period really."
"Ugh, gym," I groaned.
"I'll take care of that." I hadn't noticed Edward move to my side, but he spoke quickly and low in my ear.
"Come stand behind me and start to tear up," he muttered.
That wasn't a challenge; I tended to choke up easily, and this recent burn had left a constant reserve of tears held behind my eyes. I followed Edward into the main office and stood weakly behind him as he approached Mrs. Cope's desk.
"Mrs. Cope?"
"Yes?"
I groaned and let one tear slip down my cheek.
"Bella has gym next hour and I don't think she feels well enough. Actually, I was thinking I should take her home now. Do you think you could excuse her from class?"
I started sniffling and moaning to try and cover up my laughs. Mrs. Cope looked over at me and smiled sadly.
"Do you need to be excused too Edward?" Mrs. Cope fluttered.
"No, I'm fine, thank you."
"Okay it's all taken care of. You feel better Bella," she called to me. I looked up and flashed her my wide eyes and nodded weakly, hamming it up a bit.
It was so awesome that he could get me out of gym. If he hadn't been here, I probably would've been too scared to do what he'd done.
I followed Edward and he held the door for me. I walked out into the cold, fine mist that the rain had become. It felt nice as it cooled my face.
"Thanks," I said as he followed me out, "It's almost worth getting sick to miss gym."
"Anytime."
He was staring straight forward, squinting into the rain.
That was when I started walking to my car, but he was like, no. I have to bring you home safely, blah, blah, blah. Now to me, this was annoying and amazing. I get to spend more time with him. Yeah! But, what about my car? Well, he said that Alice would drop it off. This was great too because I could see Alice again.
In the car he started asking more questions. This time about Renée and Phil. I really wanted to move the spotlight off of me so I asked him questions about his life. He was very brief and didn't really talk so much, but he answered all my questions.
He glanced at the clock on the dashboard.
"My brother and sister and Jasper and Rosalie are going to be quite upset if they have to stand out in the rain waiting for me."
"Oh, sorry. I guess you have to go." I didn't want to get out of the car.
"And you probably want your truck back before Chief Swan gets home, so you don't have to tell him the whole story of the biology incident." He grinned at me.
"I'm sure he's already heard, there are no secrets in Forks," I sighed.
He laughed, and there was an edge to his laughter.
"Have fun this weekend, enjoy the 'nice' weather." He glanced out at the sheeting rain.
"Won't I see you tomorrow?"
"No. Emmett and I are starting the weekend early."
"What are you doing?"
"We're going hiking in the Goat Rocks Wilderness, just south of Rainier."
Oh, so he was a hiking person.
"Oh, well, have fun." I tried to sound enthusiastic. I don't think I fooled him though.
I looked down at my bandaged hand playing strip of gauze, not sure what to do now.
"What are you thinking?" he asked curiously.
I looked up into his deep golden eyes, became befuddled, and, as usual, blurted out the truth.
"I'm trying to figure out what you are."
His jaw tightened, and he turned to look out the window.
"Will you do something for me this weekend?" He turned to look me straight in the face, making me victim to his burning eyes once again.
I nodded helplessly.
"Don't be offended, but you seem to be one of those people who just attract accidents like a magnet. So…try not to get run over or anything, all right?" He smiled crookedly.
The helplessness had faded as he spoke. I glared at him.
"I'll see what I can do," I snapped as I jumped out into the rain. I slammed the door behind me with excessive force.
He was still smiling as he drove away.
This Thursday was confusing, painful, and emotional. I didn't understand most of what happened. Ugh, at least the day was finally over. I could sleep peacefully and think it over again in the morning.
I looked at my bandaged hand. It looked like it belonged to a mummy. At least it wasn't my writing hand. Great, how was I going to make dinner with one hand and a useless stump? Well, I guess I'd figure it out. I better go tell Charlie what happened. This was going to be fun.