Chapter 7

(Family Dinner)

Silent Forever

Edward and I kept on exchanging a few words here and there at lunch. Even though I felt like the odd wheel out, seeing as though I was sitting with two couples, I had Edward to keep me company.

Finally, I noticed people start leaving and walking to their next classes. I realized that the bell had already rung, so I turned to Alice.

Come on, we need to go. I signed.

Give me one second. I want to say goodbye to Jasper. She signed pleadingly while smiling up at Jasper.

I turned my head around and saw Edward smiling warmly at me.

I guess I'll see you later. I signed. I was slightly frowning slightly because as much as I hate to admit it, I kind of liked spending time with Edward. He was very easy to talk to.

Yeah, I'll see you tomorrow at lunch and then at my house later. He replied.

Looking around the cafeteria I saw that we were the last ones there. I gently pulled on Alice's arm, in order to get her attention.

Come on, we have to go. We are the last ones here. I gestured around the cafeteria to make my point.

Her shoulders rose and dropped, which I guess that she just sighed. Fine, let's go. She signed.

She had a slight playful scowl on her face, indicating that she didn't want to separate from Jasper. Knowing that Alice would never go on her own will, I grabbed her arm and turned her to the door. She blew a kiss to Jasper, while I waved to Edward, Emmett, and Rosalie.

The hallways were completely deserted. See Alice, we are so late that everyone is already in their classes. I signed.

She just laughed and said, You know that it doesn't matter anyway. Mr. Whelan doesn't really care that much anyway.

Admittedly, she had a point. We definitely weren't going to get into any trouble even if we were 5 minutes late.

Finally, we arrived at our class and continued with the rest of our day.

The day went by faster than I had expected. We really didn't do much except having a little quiz on the second book of a Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens. The quiz was really easy, because Mr. Whelan gave us quotes, and expected us to explain them.

While Alice took her time on the quiz, I finished it in about twenty minutes because I already wanted to go home.

This first week of school had been really tiring. I just wanted to go home and read a good book. I looked up at the clock and saw that it was already two-ten, which meant that the bell would ring in about two minutes. I started packing up my backpack as Alice finished up her quiz.

When I saw that it was two-twelve, I turned to Alice and we started walking to the parking lot together.

So, what are you doing after school today? She asked.

Probably nothing. I have to finish the Tale of Two Cities theme paper, so that's about it. I signed back. I really didn't feel like writing a whole paper, but I wanted to get a good grade on that.

Oh, yeah. I completely forgot about that paper. She signed, while smiling.

I smiled back, and turned to go to my car. Once I got to my car, I waved to
Alice and signed, See you tomorrow.

See you. Don't forget that you are coming over after school tomorrow. She signed.

How could I forget? You keep on reminding me about that every five minutes. I said, while laughing.

She started laughing and waved a final goodbye to me. Once I got inside the truck, I looked up and saw the Cullen's going to their car. They looked like the perfect family, and I was slightly jealous of that.

I looked up and saw Alice and Jasper walking hand and hand down the parking lot. The look on Alice's face was pure bliss. I could tell that they cared for each other very much. Looking at Jasper, I saw his face light up every time Alice smiled.

Watching them, I felt like I was interrupting a very private moment.

They were looking in each other's eyes and smiling.

Looking at them, I felt a feeling in the pit of my stomach, that I would have considered to be jealousy or even longing.

Looking at them, I felt a churning in the pit of my stomach, which I considered to be jealousy or even longing, and I knew in my heart that I would never have the bond that they have with anyone else. Even though I always dreamed of meeting my own "Prince Charming", I knew that it wasn't going to happen in the near future, or anytime at all, for that matter.

When people look at me, all they see is a freak who can't hear anything. Nobody wants to love a deaf person.

I really didn't want to dwell on this fact, so I accelerated my truck and started driving back home.

***

When I got home, I noticed that there were no lights coming from the living room. That only meant one thing- Charlie was still at the police station.

I went into the kitchen, got a glass and poured myself some water to drink. I glanced up at the clock in my kitchen, and I saw that I would have about three hours before Charlie came home.

I made my way upstairs. I was extra careful going up the stairs, because I really didn't want to trip and fall.

When I got to my room, I immediately got out my worn out copy of a Tale of Two Cities and I sat behind my laptop.

Our assignment was simple. We had to make our own paragraph that contained at least ten parallel paradoxes. Our first line had to be "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times" (Dickens 1). We could take any topic we wanted and write paradoxes on it.

I stayed with Pride and Prejudice and wrote my essay. It took me about an hour to complete it, because I had trouble coming up with a couple of paradoxes.

When I finished up with that, I started on my Pre-Cal homework. This took me sometime, because math and I don't mix too well.

After I finished up with all of my homework, I made my way downstairs and started making dinner. I decided that I would make steak and mashed potatoes, because I was too tired to make a more complicated dish.

Charlie came home as I was finishing up making the mashed potatoes.

How was your day, Bells? He asked.

It was good, but long. I actually have to talk to you about something. I started.

What is it? He asked with a curious expression planted on his face.

Alice invited me to dinner tomorrow with her family. Is that ok? I don't want to leave you alone. I sighed with a frown on my face.

I kind of felt bad for Charlie, because he didn't have anyone else aside from me. His parents died a few years ago, and Renee left him just when I was born.

He smiled and signed, don't worry about me. I was just about to tell you that I was going to go to Billy's house to watch this hockey game tomorrow.

I smiled in relief. Billy was Charlie's old friend, and whenever there was a big game on TV, they would always watch it together.

We sat down and ate our dinner quietly making attempts at making small talk. After I was done, I washed the dishes while Charlie went to his office to finish up some police reports.

Changing into my sweat pants and tank top, I fell on my bed and slept a dreamless sleep.

***

Waking up, I felt completely new. I didn't feel tired anymore, and I was actually excited to meet Alice's parents.

After getting ready, and hurried down the stairs, grabbed a granola bar, and ran to my truck outside.

The sun wasn't shining today, but there was a slight breeze that was comforting. Finally arriving at school, I saw that there were not many people in the parking lot. I looked at my watch, and I saw that I was running late.

I grabbed my backpack and ran to the entrance of the school. The front desk woman looked at me with a disapproving glance, but I ignored it and started speed walking to my class.

There weren't that many people in the halls. I guessed it was because the bell probably already rang.

Walking in the hallways felt a little weird, because there were only the school delinquents. Feeling out of place, I hurried my pace and finally arrived at my class.

Hello, Ms. Swan. Nice of you to join us today. Mr. Whelan signed.

I frowned and explained, I am so sorry. I was running late, and I wasn't really aware of it.

He sighed, and said, Don't worry about it. Just sit down and copy the assignment on the board.

When Mr. Whelan went back to do some paperwork at his desk, Alice turned to me with a disapproving frown on her face.

What's wrong? I asked.

Nothing. I just thought that you wouldn't come to school today, thus not coming to my house after school. She replied.

Don't worry. I was just running late and I wasn't really aware of the time. I said while smiling.

The day passed by very quickly. Mr. Whelan collected our assignments and gave us new ones. Lunch went by very quickly, and before I knew it, it was time to go to Alice's house.

When Mr. Whelan finally dismissed us, Alice and I went outside to the parking lot.

Is it ok if you will ride with Edward home? Alice asked.

I thought that I was going to get a ride with you. I said, confused.

Yeah, it's just I really want to ride with Jasper, and there isn't going to be enough room in the BMW. She signed with an innocent smile on her face.

I thought about it for a minute, and what I didn't get was why she wanted me to ride with Edward so much. There were only four people in the BMW, and surely I could have sat down too. I didn't decide to push it though, because after all it was Rosalie's car.

Fine. Why do you want me to ride to your house with Edward so much? I asked.

What? Why would you think I want you to ride with Edward. It's just there isn't going to be enough room. She said with a smile.

I shrugged, and waved her a goodbye, and I headed to the silver Volvo in the back of the parking lot.

As I got closer I could see Edward was sitting in the driver's seat. He got out, and smiled this brilliant smile at me.

I thought that I turned about ten different shades of red when I saw his smile.

Hey, how was school? He asked.

Good, I guess. We didn't do much. I signed back.

He smiled, and went to open the passenger side door for me. At first I was really surprised, because no one has ever done anything like that for me before. I smiled and got in the car.

The car was surprisingly clean. Entering the car, I thought that I would see food everywhere, but I found myself in a very neat car. I smiled and I signed, I guess we are both alike, because we like to have everything in the right places in our cars.

He returned the smile, and started the car.

The car ride was a bit awkward because Edward obviously couldn't sign while driving a car. In a matter of fifteen minutes, we pulled up to Edward's house.

Although I have been here before, I still couldn't get over how beautiful his house was. Once Edward parked, I turned to him and smiled.

Did someone design your house? It is absolutely beautiful. I signed.

He grinned and signed, My mom, Esme, actually designed it.

I nodded my head, understanding.

We saw that Alice, Rosalie, Emmett, and Jasper still didn't arrive yet.

Come on, let's go inside. Edward said.

Entering the house, Edward led me to the right of the front door. I looked up at him with a questioning look on my face.

He just smirked, and let me further into his house.

We arrived in the kitchen. I took the site before me, and I was mesmerized. His kitchen had all the up to date appliances and gadgets. Standing in front of the oven stood a woman who I guessed was Edward's mother.

I could tell that she was really young. She stood there and smiled warmly at me.

Hello, my name is Esme. You must be Bella. She signed, very fluently.

Hi. Thanks for having me for dinner, Mrs. Cullen. I signed, slightly nervous.

Please, call me Esme. She said, having a warm smile on her face.

I nodded my head in agreement, when I saw that Alice and everyone else came home.

Hi mom, Alice signed, I see you met Bella already. Alice went over and hugged her mother briefly.

Yes dear, now go get ready for dinner because your dad will be coming in about ten minutes. She signed and went back to place something in the oven.

Esme, do you need any help in the kitchen. I asked politely.

She just shook her head and signed, Don't worry about it. I got everything under control down here.

Come on Bella, let's go upstairs to my room. Alice signed. I followed Alice upstairs, and we just hung out there until dinner was finally ready.

***

We were looking at some clothes that Alice bought previously, when we noticed the door opened.

Edward came in, looking perfect. He was wearing dark jeans and a green button up shirt. Looking at him, I could feel my breath stopping, but I made a very big effort to get it back to its usual speed.

Alice, Carlisle is home. Mom is calling us down for dinner. He signed. Finally he smiled at me, and went out of the door.

Alice and I went downstairs to the dining room, to see everyone already seated down. Alice went to sit by Jasper, and Rosalie and Emmett were sitting next to each other. The only seat left for me was next to Edward.

After sitting down, I noticed another man sitting down next to Esme. He also looked young, and he looked like an actor.

Hi, my name is Carlisle. He signed.

I blushed when all the attention was shifted to me. It's nice to meet you, my name is Bella. I bet everyone could tell that I was nervous, so everyone laughed – well, at least I think that they were laughing because their shoulders all shook slightly.

Can we please eat already? Emmett asked with a miserable look on his face. I started laughing and we all started eating.

The meal was delicious. Esme, the meal is absolutely delicious. If it is possible can you please give me the recipe for this chicken? I asked.

Of course. Do you like to cook? She asked.

Yes, I do. I cook at home every day because leaving my father alone in the kitchen isn't safe. I replied.

We all laughed and the whole dinner went on in the same fashion. The whole dinner, we were all joking around and having interesting conversations. This was very different than the meals that we had at home with Charlie.

I obviously love Charlie, but having nice conversations during dinner was also nice.

When we finally finished eating, I offered to help clean up.

Bella, don't be absurd. Esme signed.

It's okay. I really want to help though. I signed back.

Bella it's actually my turn to clean up. Alice signed. You can go hang out with Rosalie while I do this.

Are you sure you don't want any help. I signed with uncertainty.

Yeah, Bella don't worry. She signed.

I looked and I saw Emmett and Rosalie going together into their room. I really didn't want to hang out with them, because they were probably minding their own business and doing god knows what in their bedroom.

Bella, do you want to go with me to the back yard? Edward asked me with a gorgeous smile on his face.

Sure. I replied. There wasn't anything else to do anyway.

Edward led me to their backyard. When he opened the door for me, I smiled up at him and thanked him. Looking at their backyard, I gasped.

It was already dark outside, but the whole yard was light up by twinkling lights. There was a pool visible and a little waterfall that went into the pool. What I loved the most about their backyard was that in the middle of it stood a big gazebo.

Edward smiled at me and asked, So do you like it?

It is amazing. I smiled looking up at him. His brilliant green eyes gazed down upon me and he led me to the gazebo.

I sat down, taking it all in. While admiring the beautiful view of the backyard, I saw that Edward shifted his position and turned to me.

I realized that his eyes had softness to them, that I never saw before. I then noticed that something was wrong.

Is anything wrong? I asked.

Can I be honest with you? He asked back.

Sure, I guess. I signed with a slight hesitation.

I realize that we don't know each other that long, but whenever I am with you, I feel like I can be myself. He signed slowly.

What do you mean? I asked him, confused.

I mean that, when most people look at me, all they see are my looks. Nobody ever bothers to even find out the person that is inside of me. But you, you're different. You are the first person outside my family that actually tried to know the real me. What I am actually trying to say is, I really want to get to know you better. He signed.

I slowly smiled at him and said, I would really like that.

I looked up at the sky, and saw thousands of bright stars. I then decided that this was probably one of the best nights that I had in a very long time.

A/N:

Wow. I realize that this is really long but that's because I got a little carried away with the chapter :D

Thank you for all of you that have read and reviewed my story!!!

Thanks, Claire. You did an awesome job.

NOW: This chapter is dedicated to: JANE!!!!

Jane, you rock! (it runs in the blood, lmao) Thank you for helping me when I was stuck at some points in this chapter. OH, and thanks for documenting my story!!! Good luck with Justin. Lol

ANYWAY, as you can see, updates will be coming a whole lot quicker because I have the extra time now.

I will update this story, once I get 7-10 reviews. I have chapters already written out, so yeah.

-jess