I still felt awful after last night, and the only thing I wanted to do was get through the day unnoticed. I took a deep breath and opened the door to my first class. I guess I was asking too much.
Every set of eyes in the room was on me when I walked in. So much for going unnoticed. Some of the girls glared at me through narrowed eyes while others whispered behind their hands. The boys, on the other hand, ogled me like a bunch kids on Christmas. It was as if they'd never seen a girl before. The teacher looked over the top of her glasses at the schedule I'd handed her, then back up at me. I felt my face flush and ducked my head.
"Isabella, is it?" she asked.
"Just Bella," I mumbled in response.
" I see. Well, seeing as everyone has arrived," she scanned the room briefly, "You can take the empty seat next to Mr. Cullen."
My head snapped up at the name.
Cullen?
Crap!
I hope it's not the scary one…
I looked in the direction she was indicating. Fantastic. It was the excruciatingly gorgeous Edward. He was doodling mindlessly on a notebook, blatantly ignoring his surroundings. He was the only one not paying attention to me. I made my way down the aisle and, naturally, because I was getting off to such a great start, I tripped over a book bag and stumbled. My belongings flew out of my arms and my bag swung around and almost knocked me in the face.
Way to go, Bella. Hell of a first impression.
A wave of stifled giggles and a couple of outright guffaws rippled through the class. I grumbled to myself and bent to pick up my things, only to come face to face with Edward. He held out my books, neatly stacked, and smiled. My heart leapt into my throat.
Good God.
It was absolutely stunning. He was absolutely stunning. I shifted my bag on my back.
"Are you okay?" he asked. His voice was melodic, almost entrancing. I was positively dumbfounded. Even his voice was perfect.
"I'm fine," I whispered, "Thanks."
"Anytime," he handed me my books and returned to his seat. I stood slowly and slid into mine. My face was so flushed that I wouldn't have been surprised if I resembled a tomato. I brushed a stray hair behind my ear and dared another glance up at him. He had resumed his aimless sketching as if our encounter had never occurred. I wanted desperately to introduce myself, but fear of further embarrassment kept my mouth shut. I sighed quietly and turned my attention to the front. Might as well make a feeble attempt at learning. I opened the used copy of The Great Gatsby and flipped to the chapter the class was discussing. Having already read the book, I let my mind wander. I flipped ahead in the book, back a couple of chapters, and ended up closing it. I rested my chin in one hand and the other on the desk. I absently traced random designs with my index finger.
"Can't stand it either?" a gentle voice questioned from beside me.
Oh Lord.
Is he talking to me?
Of course he is!
Just remember to breathe.
Breathe…
"Yeah," I responded, meeting his gaze. I swallowed hard. "I…um…read it already. I…uh…didn't really care for it."
"I've read it myself," he fanned through the pages and placed the book on his desk. The teacher glanced up at him from her desk and he flattered her with a smile. She blushed slightly and returned to the class discussion. "I found it quite boring, honestly."
"Me too." I croaked. Why was my throat so dry?
"Forgive me," he said suddenly.
"Why, what's the matter?" I asked. I suddenly realized that I had inched closer to him during our conversation. Embarrassed, I slouched back.
"Oh don't be alarmed. It's nothing serious. It's just…" he paused.
Oh great, here we go.
"It's just…Well I don't think we've actually met," he chuckled lightly.
Phew. I sighed to myself.
Uh-oh.
Was that out loud?
"I'm Edward Cullen."
"Bella…Bella Swan." I stammered.
"Bella…Short for Isabella, I'd imagine?"
"Yeah, " I managed a smile finally. "But Bella is fine."
"It's lovely to officially meet you, Bella." Edward smiled at me again and it was absolutely intoxicating. I felt my throat knot up again.
Keep breathing.
"You, too"
The bell rang suddenly, making me jump in my seat.
"Alas we must go our separate ways," he rose fluidly, "And as Shakespeare once wrote: 'Parting is such sweet sorrow'"
"Romeo and Juliet," I smiled. "One of my favorites."
"You know your fine literature," he nodded. "Impressive."
"Glad you approve," I gathered my books for my next class and stuffed the rest in my bag. I slung it over my shoulder. He proceeded to exit the classroom, then stopped. He glanced over his shoulder at me.
"Until next time, then?" he asked.
"Yeah…next time…" I sighed. "Hey…Edward?"
"Yes, Bella?" He turned to face me. I completely lost my nerve. His sheer beauty left me speechless.
"See…see you around."
"I look forward to it," he winked, then pivoted expertly on one heel and swiftly left.
I couldn't believe I didn't ask him about yesterday; about why his brother had glared at me from his car in front of my house. I made a mental note to say something the next time I saw him and found my way to my next class.
The rest of the morning went pretty much the same as the first class: the same hushed giggles and the same awkward stares. I was grateful when the bell rang for lunch and practically sprinted out of class to get to the cafeteria.
I was able to make it through the lunch line without drawing any more attention to myself. I scanned the room and saw an empty table toward the back. Perfect. No one had really made an effort to talk to me all day, so I didn't see a huge problem with sitting alone. I quickly maneuvered through the bustling crowd of students and slid into a seat at my selected table. I dropped my bag on the chair next to me and pulled my I Pod out of the front zipper. I put one ear bud in, cued up a song and pressed play. I took a bite of my apple and chewed slowly, watching as the cliques took their separate tables.
"Hi." a female voice interrupted my thoughts. I looked up. A tall, dark-haired girl with glasses stood in front of my table with a tray of food.
"Hi," I looked at her quizzically.
"Do you mind if I sit?" she asked.
"Not at all," I answered. I shut my music off and took out the ear bud. She'd probably want to talk and I didn't want to be rude. Too bad. It was one of my favorite songs. She placed her tray on the table and sat down across from me.
"You're the new girl, right?" she asked.
"Yep."
"I'm Angela," she pushed her glasses up with one finger and smiled timidly. "You're Isabella Swan…you sat in front of me in English"
"Nice to meet you, and you can call me Bella," I replied.
"Oh, okay. Hey I saw you talking to Edward Cullen this morning," she continued, "He's something else, isn't he?"
"He's something alright," my cheeks grew warm when she said his name.
"It's kind of strange though," she pondered.
"Why is that?" I asked, curious now.
"Well, he's never really acknowledged any of the girls here before, let alone spoken to them," she grinned and took sip of her iced tea. "He must like you."
"Oh I don't know…" now I knew my face was red. "I've only been here for a day. He barely knows me."
"Still, I mean, he's never even looked at a girl here," she swept her arm over the swarms of students in the lunch room.
"Not even one?" I raised an eyebrow. She couldn't be serious.
"Nope," she shook her head. "And believe me, it hasn't been for lack of trying on some parts."
She jerked her thumb in the direction of a short blond girl headed our way.
"You mean…" I trailed off.
"Yep, she's practically thrown herself at him," she sighed. "And he doesn't even give her a second thought."
"Wow," I was awestruck.
"I know. He just politely tells her he's not interested and walks away," Angela looked over the brim of her glasses at me. "There must be something really different about you."
"Great," I muttered and dropped my head into my hands.
"Oh Goodness!" She exclaimed. "I didn't mean to make you feel bad!"
"It's okay," I said. "I've been stared at all day. I was starting to wonder if I actually am different."
"You're not different," she said.
"Then what am I?" I inquired. She paused, then grinned ear to ear.
"You're new!" We both laughed, because we were both well aware that anything new in Forks was front-page news-worthy.
"And besides," she continued.
"What?" There was more?
"I heard what he said when you guys were leaving class, you know, that line from Romeo and Juliet?"
"You heard that?" I cringed.
"Oh yeah," she sighed. "That was very romantic, especially for someone he just met."
"Oh boy."
"Ange!!" The petite girl stopped at our table. "There you are! What are you doing over here?"
"Hi Jess," Angela greeted her. "I just thought Bella might-"
"You're the new girl!" She interrupted, sliding into the seat next to Angela. "Isabella, right? I heard you came from Phoenix. It must be so hot there. Why on Earth would you want to come here? It's always so cold and miserable here-"
"Jessica!" Angela interrupted her.
"What?" She asked innocently.
"You're babbling. Why don't you let the poor girl answer?" Angela scolded, and it was all I could do muffle my giggle.
"I'm sorry," she apologized.
"It's quite alright," I chuckled. "And in response to your questions: It's just Bella; Yes, I came from Phoenix; Yes it is quite hot there; And I came here for a change in scenery."
"Oh, well, that's nice," She added nonchalantly and turned back to Angela. "So Ange, do you think Edward will go to Prom with me? I'm thinking about asking him after school today."
"Jess," Angela rolled her eyes, "Haven't you gotten the hint already? He isn't interested."
"Well…well… this time could be different!" Jessica huffed.
"Different how?" Angela asked.
"It's Prom! He can't say no to Prom!" she slapped her hand on the table for emphasis.
"Prom or no prom, he's not going to change his mind, Jessica." Angela stated simply. Jessica simply pouted in response. "Why don't you ask his brother? He's just as hot, you know."
"Who, Emmett?" Jess crinkled her nose. "No way. He's---"
A loud crash from the other side of the cafeteria disrupted their repartee. All of our heads swiveled in the direction of the ruckus. My heart immediately jumped into my throat as I saw Emmett and Edward in a fierce stand off, a broken chair lying in pieces between them. It was so quiet in the small lunch room that we could all hear their heated conversation.
"Stay out of it, Emmett!" Edward growled.
"Not likely. Something doesn't add up. I think you should back off," Emmett snarled in return.
"I neither seek nor do I need your approval." Edward snorted.
"I don't care!" Emmett boomed, his voice reverberating off the cafeteria walls.
"Well that's just tough for you, now, isn't it?" Edward retorted. He kicked the rubble from underfoot and proceeded to push his way past his brother. Emmett stopped him with a hand to the chest.
"Stay away from her, little brother," he warned. "She's not to be trusted."
"You don't know that," Edward shoved his brother's arm roughly away and stalked toward the nearest set of doors. He stopped and glared over his shoulder "I will do what I please, and see whom I choose. There is nothing you can say or do about it." And with that he slammed the doors open and stormed off into the rain. Emmett stood for a moment, seething, and suddenly turned his attention directly at me. His eyes were black as night and if looks could kill I would have been dead twice over. His anger was so palpable that I could practically feel it clawing at my throat. I cowered in my seat. He stared for a moment longer then turned and walked swiftly away.
"And you wonder why I don't ask him out," Jess muttered. "Why did he look at you like that?" She turned and asked me.
"Don't know," I shrugged nervously. "I've never even met the guy."
"He told Edward to 'stay away from her,'" her eyes narrowed as we spoke and I held my hands up defensively, "Did he mean you? 'Cause if he did…"
"Jessica, leave her alone," Angela ordered so sternly that her friend's eyes went wide. "She said she doesn't know. Just let it go, would you? Come on, Bella," she gathered up her things and stood. "We've go Bio together next period. I'll walk with you."
I followed suit by grabbing my bag and walking away with Angela. We left Jessica dumbfounded at the table.
"I love her to death, really," Angela fumed as we dodged rain drops, "But damn she has got to let this Edward business go!"
"Yeah," I mumbled.
I couldn't get Emmett's awful stare out of my head. The thought of his black eyes haunted me. What the hell was his problem, anyway? I shook my head suddenly, erasing the image. No. I wasn't going to let him get the best of me. I made up my mind to confront him tomorrow. If I wanted to be friends with Edward, then I would be damned if I'd let that big oaf get in my way. Never mind that said oaf was about three times my size and could probably crush me with his pinky finger.