Chapter Six: Blood Type

I was still in my own thoughts when I walked in the cafeteria with Jessica and Mike. They were discussing a possible beach trip this weekend. I wasn't all that interested in going. Even if it didn't rain, the temperature would only be in the high forties at the most. Not really my idea of fun. I was more interested in seeing Emmett. I couldn't believe that he had actually asked me to go to Seattle with him and I worried that I had dreamed up the conversation and convinced myself that it was reality. I hoped it was real as I looked over at the Cullen table, wanting so badly to see him.

He wasn't there. The other four sat there as usual but their curly headed brother was missing. Had he gone home? Why would he do that? Was he sick? Jessica's voice broke into my speculations.

"Bella, are you ok? C'mon, you are holding up the line." She tugged on my arm. I hadn't realized until that moment that I had stopped dead in the middle of the lunch line. I hurried to dissolve the gap in front of me.

"Bella, you ok?" Mike asked as I moved forward on sluggish feet.

"Fine. I'll just get a bottle of lemonade. I'm ok." I assured them.

As I paid for my lemonade, Jessica finally broke through my sluggish disappointment with his name.

"Emmett Cullen is staring at you again, Bella. I wonder why he's sitting alone today."

I followed her gaze and sure enough, Emmett was sitting at an empty table as far away from his family as possible. He was staring right at me. When he saw that he had finally caught my attention, he grinned, waved, and gestured me over to him.

"Does he mean you?" Jessica sounded almost appalled by the fact that Emmett wanted me.

"Maybe he needs help in biology. Better see what he wants." I mumbled to placate her and headed over to Emmett.

When I reached him, he said, "how 'bout you sit with me today." I sat down in the seat opposite him and set my lemonade on the table. He waited for me to say something.

"This is different. What brought this on?" I asked.

"Well, I figured it's time to give up trying to be friends because it isn't working for me. I warned you that it might not be enough for me. I can't keep myself away from you any longer." He said this all very fast. I somehow managed to keep up but only just.

"I don't understand what you mean." I admitted to him. He chuckled slightly.

"I figured you didn't. What I mean is I want more. I want to know you better. The information I have about you is far too insubstantial, Bella." Emmett explained. That thrilled me.

"I know next to nothing about you. If you want to know me, shouldn't I get to know you? It's only fair." I challenged.

"I suppose you're right. What have you figured out about me so far?" Emmett wanted me to start. Maybe he would tell me a bit about him. I hope he will. The mystery of him was one I was almost desperate to solve.

"I'm still trying to figure out what you are, actually. You seem to be more than human." I began honestly.

"Do I? Got anywhere with your theories?" he wondered as he raised one eyebrow. He didn't look offended that I didn't think he was human; more like amused that I had reached that conclusion.

"I have some theories. Whatever you are, it isn't bad. You wouldn't have saved my life if you were bad." I watched for his reaction. His mouth changed from a smile into a smirk.

"Is that what you think of me? That I'm not dangerous? You aren't afraid of me, are you?" Emmett asked me. He had a slightly teasing tone to his almost serious voice.

"Maybe you are dangerous. I don't know enough about you to make that judgment. I'm not afraid of you, though. Actually, I find our friendship insubstantial, too." I said this quietly as I unscrewed the cap off my bottle of lemonade and took a drink. He smiled so that dimples appeared.

"I guess I should be unnerved by that but I'm not. Pretty pleased by it, as a matter of fact. I don't want you to be afraid of me. I hope you don't change your mind once you know the truth." He murmured as he stole my bottle cap.

"No chance of that." I whispered back.

He looked up from the cap he had been twirling between his fingers but was distracted by something over my shoulder. "Your friends seem angry at me for stealing you away. Your boyfriend especially looks pissed." He chuckled as he spun the cap faster.

I was nervous about the boyfriend comment. I didn't want him thinking I had one when I didn't so he would never ask me out. " They will survive one day with out me. And the boyfriend, I don't know who you are talking about. I have no boyfriend."

He smiled widely at me. "I might be willing to change that. Maybe I'll keep you for myself and not give you back to them." I felt a thrill of glee at his words. I definitely didn't seem insignificant now.

I took a drink of lemonade so I didn't have to talk. If I did, I might blurt out something really embarrassing or criticize his comment.

"Aren't you hungry?" he asked, staring at my bottle.

"No." I didn't want to tell him that my stomach was already full- of butterflies. "You?" I looked at the empty table in front of him.

"No, I'm not hungry." He chuckled like he was enjoying some private joke.

"Could you do me a favor?" I asked tentatively.

"I guess I can do that." A dimple appeared in Emmett's chin.

"Could you keep the promise you made to me and tell me about the accident during Seattle?" I wanted to make sure that we both remembered.

"That's the plan. Could you do something for me, though?" he stared anxiously at me with his honey eyes.

I nodded warily. What did he want? If it was something that would keep me away from him, I couldn't do it.

"Tell me one theory." He looked up at me through a thick fringe of black eyelashes. His ochre eyes smoldered with intensity and I forgot his question.

"Umm, what?" I mumbled, dazed. How did he do that?

"Please tell me one theory." His eyes scorched and I immediately complied.

"Umm, well bitten by a radioactive spider?" I had been thinking of him as a combination Bruce Wayne- Peter Parker.

"That's not very creative. You're way off anyway, Bella." He chuckled.

"Dang, no spiders?"

"No."

"No radioactivity?"

He shook his head, letting his curls bounce, and true to his personality, joked, "Kryptonite doesn't bother me either."

"Oh well. I'll find out next Saturday, I guess." My voice had an air of light, breeziness.

"I sincerely hope you can handle it. Maybe you wont think I'm a superhero when you know the truth." He whispered and started spinning the cap again.

"A bad guy wouldn't risk their life to save someone." I reminded him.

He looked up with blazing eyes. I was locked in his gaze, a swirl of emotions running through me. Awe and passion the two strongest emotions. Until I realized the cafeteria was almost empty, that is.

"Holy crow. We're going to be late!" I jumped up immediately but he stayed where he was.

"I'm not going to class today." He was twirling the cap so fast that it was a blur.

"Why not?" I asked, disappointed that I wouldn't get biology to be near him.

"Ditching is healthy every now and then. Gives you a break." He grinned mischievously.

"Well I'm going." I was too big a chicken to not worry about being caught.

"See you later then, Bella." He gave me a look like he wished I would ditch with him.

For a minute, I seriously considered giving in to my desire to be alone with him this minute instead of waiting for Seattle. The warning bell sent me running to class, though. Mr. Banner had not come in the classroom when I got there. Mike and Angela were staring at me as I walked to my empty lab table. Angela looked awed. Mike looked irritated, almost angry. I didn't meet their eyes as I took my seat.

Mr. Banner came in juggling some cardboard boxes. He set them on Mike's table. Then he took a pair of rubber gloves for the pocket of his lab coat and pulled them on. The snap they made seemed ominous to me.

"I have a treat for you all today. The Red Cross is having a blood drive in Port Angeles on Saturday and I thought it would be fun for you to find out what your blood type is. Take one item from each box. You should get an indicator card, a four-pronged applicator, and a sterile micro lancet." Held up a card with four boxes, what looked like a nearly toothless hair pick, and a piece of blue plastic. I couldn't see the barb. But it still made my stomach churn. Mr. Banner took a card and placed a drop of water on each box. "Once I've put water on your card, carefully prick your finger with the lancet and place a drop of blood on the card. Don't start until I come to you." He broke open the plastic on the lancet and grabbed Mike's hand and jabbed the barb into Mike's middle finger. I felt a wave of nausea as Mr. Banner squeezed his finger to make the blood flow.

I put my head on the table as my classmates squealed and whined as they pricked their fingers. My stomach rolled uneasily. I let my eyes close so I wouldn't accidentally see the blood.

"Bella, are you alright?" I heard Mr. Banner ask over me.

"I already know my blood type." I managed to choke out.

"Do you feel sick?" he asked and I nodded. "Do you want to go to the nurse? Can you walk?"

"Yes, sir." I would crawl if I had to. Just get me out of here.

I didn't need to look to know who volunteered to take me to the nurse. Mike seemed only too happy to pull my arm around his shoulders and wrap his around my waist. I made it as far as the cafeteria before I nearly collapsed.

"Just give me a minute to rest, Mike. Please, just a minute." I begged him. He helped me sit down on the freezing, wet concrete and I pressed my cheek to it.

"You ok, Bella? You look green." Mike's voice was full of concern but I couldn't concentrate on it.

"Yeah. Whatever you do, keep your hand in your pocket." I warned him in a feeble voice.

"Are you going to be sick, Bella?" he sounded a little worried about it.

"Bella?" It wasn't Mike who called my name. This voice was deep and booming. Even though it was full of concern and worry, a tone I had heard only once in it before, I knew it instantly.

"Oh, no." I mumbled as another wave of nausea rolled over me. I wanted to die or at the very least, not throw up.

"What happened to her? Is she ok?" Emmett asked Mike. His panicky voice was just above me.

"I don't know. She didn't even stick her finger. I was taking her to the nurse but she wouldn't go any farther. What are you doing here?" Mike's tone was belligerent.

"Go back to class, Mike. I've got her." Emmett said, ignoring Mike's rude protests.

Suddenly, I was off the ground and was being carried in a pair of huge, muscular arms. My eyes flew open to see Emmett smiling down at me.

"No, put me back on the sidewalk." I protested feebly. My stomach still hadn't settled and I was afraid I might throw up on him. That was the last thing I wanted to do.

He ignored my protests and chuckled. "So you faint at the sight if blood. And not even your own blood." He had been staring forward until I groaned. Emmett held me closer to his broad chest as he took in my weak grimace. "You look awful, honey." His voice was quiet and soothing now.

"How did you see me? I thought you left." I managed to say.

"I didn't leave. I was in Edward's car listening to a cd. I looked up and saw Newton dragging you along. I thought he was off to the woods to bury your dead body. Honestly, I've seen corpses with better color. I was afraid I would have to avenge your murder." Emmett chuckled. Listening to a cd was such a normal response. It was over shadowed by the intensity in his voice. I knew he meant everything he said; he would have avenged my murder if that happened.

I didn't speak for fear of throwing up and that I was moved by the sentiment. The steady movement of his walk wasn't helping my uneasy stomach.

It was suddenly warmer and I knew that we were inside. Emmett explained to the nurse what had happened to me in biology as he laid me down on the cot. The nurse went and got me an ice pack immediately. I didn't think it was necessary; the dizziness and queasiness was already fading. Of course, I knew it would be gone by now if I had eaten anything at lunch. But I was glad I hadn't because I would have almost assuredly thrown up on Emmett. He was standing against the wall, watching me.

About two minutes after I arrived, Ms. Cope said we had another invalid. I felt better so I got up to free the cot. Mike came in, supporting the weight of another boy from our class.

"Oh, no. Bella, go outside." Emmett urged. I bolted for the door and Emmett followed me. I knew the boy wasn't sick from seeing blood like I was.

"Thanks. The smell of the blood would have put me under again."

"People can't smell blood." He disagreed playfully.

"Well, I can. It smells like rust and salt. That's what makes me sick." I told him.

He smirked and rolled his eyes at me, amused.

Mike came in then. "You look better." He accused me before glaring at Emmett.

"Yeah. Just a fainting spell."

"You going back to class, then?" he asked in a slightly friendlier tone.

"Are you kidding? I would just have to turn around and come back." I knew I couldn't handle that.

"Ok, then. Think you're still up for the beach trip on Saturday? We're meeting at my dad's store at ten o'clock." He asked hopefully. Mike's eyes shifted to glare at Emmett again; clearly not an open invitation.

"I said I was in, didn't I?"

"Yeah, ok. See you in gym." He waved at me and glared at Emmett as he left.

I groaned. "Ugh, gym." I closed my eyes.

"I can take care of that. Go sit down and look sick." Emmett whispered into my ear. I did what he told me to do.

Emmett was a master negotiator. He got us both out of our next classes with ease. Ms. Cope would have excused Emmett from tomorrow too, if he wanted; I was sure of that.

"Come on Bella. I'll take you home in Edward's car. Alice can take you truck home later." Emmett said as he helped me stand.

"Before Charlie gets home, preferably. I'd rather drive myself home, though." It was useless to argue so I didn't. He wouldn't let me drive myself home. Emmett didn't seem like the type of person to give in and I kind of wanted to ride with him. We could talk some more.

"I'm not going to let you drive. Trust me, the truck will be in your driveway in plenty of time before your dad comes home." He winked and grabbed my hand to tow me toward the parking lot.

"Ok, Emmett." I said, giving up. Even though his hand was cold, it felt pleasant around mine. "So are you going to the beach with us on Saturday?" I really hoped he would. It gave me my first feeling of enthusiasm for the trip if he went. I couldn't see him piled into a van with the rest of us though. It was too normal but I could hope.

"I don't think I'm invited."

"I just invited you. Will you come?"

"Let's you and I not push Mike too far, huh? He already hates me and we wouldn't want him to have an episode." He chuckled. I liked that he put us together like that. I shrugged as we got to the Volvo. We got in and he started the car.

"Where are you guys going?" he asked as he pulled out of the parking lot.

"First Beach. In La Push."

"Oh. Are you feeling better now?" he asked as he took my hand again.

"Yeah. The cold feels good. Your hand is as good as any ice pack."

He mumbled something I didn't catch. " Does it bother you? The cold skin, I mean?" he asked in a louder voice.

"I guess not. It actually feels good." I admitted. I wanted him to keep touching me. I liked it for some reason. I liked him. He thought about that until we were parked in front of my house.

He asked me about my mother and kept me talking for a while.

"So are you going to tell me about your family?" I asked when I finished my story about Renée.

"Carlisle and Esme adopted me. I don't really remember my parents. I never really had a father and my mother had some issues. Carlisle and Esme are more my parents than my real ones ever were." His voice was a little bitter when he talked of his biological parents.

"I'm sorry to hear that, Emmett." I told him sincerely and rubbed my thumb on the back of his hand.

"No big deal. Carlisle and Esme are my parents now."

"And you love them." It wasn't a question. The adoration in his voice when he spoke of them was obvious.

"Yes, I do. And my adopted brothers and sisters as well." He glanced at the clock. "oh, crap. If I don't go bring the car back, Edward will be pissed and the others too for having to stand in the rain. The truck will be here before Chief Swan gets home. Have fun at the beach, Bella."

"Won't I see you tomorrow?" I hadn't missed that.

"No, Edward and I are going hiking. Leaving tonight. But I have a favor to ask you." His eyes burned with intensity. I nodded.

"Don't take offense to this but try not to fall in the ocean or get run over this weekend, ok?" He was seriously concerned about my safety.

"I promise I wont. See you Monday." I got out of the car. He flashed me a dimpled smile and was gone.

The truck was there, as promised, before Charlie got home. I wondered how he did it.

Tomorrow would be boring and the weekend worse without Emmett.

A.N. : this is by far the longest chapter i have ever written but i hope you enjoy it. even though i write for myself and don't really care what people think of me or my work, it's still nice to see the reviews. if you liked the story just say that. it doesnt have to be a long review. also, i would appreciate it if you all would take the time to vote in the poll i have on my profile. it pertains to this story and you all can have a say in what comes next. thanks!

emeralda violeta