Chapter 5:

One week after the incident in biology, I woke up after only a few hours of sleep. But no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't go back to sleep.

Reluctantly, I crawled out of bed and crept downstairs as quietly as I could. Charlie was undoubtedly still asleep at this hour.

I walked to the living room, turned around and walked to the kitchen, completely baffled as to what I wanted to do.

My eyes roamed from one end of the kitchen to the other. Taking note of everything simultaneously, the faded yellow walls that were painted eighteen years ago by Renee attempting to bring sunshine into the dank kitchen, the old oak table covered in long scratches and deep gouges; badges that testified to years of heavy use, the white Formica counter tops that hadn't ever changed. All these things were monuments of my childhood, but none of it helped the anxious feeling that settled in my stomach.

My eyes landed on the fridge, probably the only thing in this kitchen that wasn't older than I was, and my mind immediately recognized the distraction it needed.

As quietly as I could, I searched the icebox for something that would serve as breakfast. There wasn't much that appealed to me. My only choices were leftover lasagna or cereal.

I decided on cereal since I wouldn't have to heat it and the cleanup wouldn't take forever. I ate breakfast and then thoroughly washed everything I had touched in the process of making breakfast, the table, the door of the icebox, even the sink. It did not prove to be the distraction I wanted, but it did help.

I finished quickly, much quicker than I would have liked, and made my way to the living room. I crawled onto the couch and switched on the television. I made sure to turn the volume all the way down before I switched on the satellite receiver.

I hadn't ever been a TV person, always preferring to read instead. So there wasn't much that I wanted to watch. The one thing that did interest me was the local weather channel. Not that I didn't know what to expect. That was easy, cold weather, cold weather and more cold weather.

I watched it anyway, missing bits and pieces whenever the weatherman turned to point out something on the board behind him. I wasn't interested enough to turn on the closed captioning.

It didn't take long to get the gist. It was going to snow in the morning but rain about midday. Therefore, the snow wouldn't be around long. That I was grateful for, I'd never thought snow would be fun thing to experience.

Maybe I was just worrying for nothing. Things had been really normal lately, more normal than I'd felt in a long time. It had been a horrible year so far, first there was Phil, James, Mom almost dying, now I had seven vampires to hide from. There was also that little problem where I was beginning to obsess over a strange vampires even stranger dislike of me. Not exactly healthy. Especially for someone in my position.

I nodded, Yep. It definitely sounds like I could use a little therapy.

I felt vibrations through my bare fee,t where they rested on the floor. Focusing on the rhythm, I instantly recognized them as footsteps. Charlie must be awake.

I pressed the return button on the remote so that it switched back to the basketball channel Charlie was watching last night.

Probably the only channel he ever watched, I thought ruefully.

I glanced toward the stairs as Charlie stumbled his way down, wearing purple sweatpants and a neon green shirt.

I laughed and quickly turned back to the television. Ugh, that is one of the worst outfits I have ever seen. Who would've thought that Charlie liked bright colors?

Disgusting colors, but they were colors. Technically, I think. Although, it was hard to tell, looking at them actually made my eyes hurt a little.

He must be colorblind that has to be it. I really hope that's it. There isn't any other acceptable explanation for such a disaster. One color would have been bad enough, but when you put the two together, it turned into a veritable train wreck.

I hid my humor and kept my expression neutral, as he made his way into the living room and plopped down in his recliner.

The thought that I might have woken him up occurred to me, "Did I wake you up?"

He rubbed his face with a rough hand before he answered, "No, I have to get ready for work in a few minutes." He paused, and looked at me apprehensively. "What are you doing up this early?"

I shrugged, "Couldn't sleep; I think the cold kept me awake." That was a lie, of course, but I couldn't tell him I was nervous. He would think I was sneaking around behind his back in order to date a biker punk. Any unexplained or unusual behavior sent Charlie in that direction.

It was a tad ridiculous, but I could see where he was coming from. Watching your daughter grow up and mature into a woman would scare any father. And there was that little detail where I wasn't a normal teenage girl. Charlie always remarked on how mature I seemed. Instead of taking that as a good thing, Charlie thought it meant that there was an explosion of teenage rebellion in my future. The idea seemed to frighten him a little, probably because he had no idea how to handle me, should it truly occur.

Wanting to divert his thoughts I asked, "Would you like omelets for breakfast?"

His eyes lit up just as I knew they would. Charlie never turned down food of any kind. "That'd be great Bells. Give me a few minutes to shower though."

I nodded and went into the kitchen to find the ingredients for the omelets. I took my time getting everything out of the refrigerator.

I was beating the eggs when Charlie appeared wearing his police uniform. It was several shades of brown. The only bright colors came from the patch on the arm that proclaimed him a member of the Forks sheriff's department, but even that contained sedate colors. It suited him.

Seeing him now, you wouldn't suspect he was a closet color-phile.

"I didn't know how you like your omelets so I added a little bit of everything, is that okay?"

He smiled and took his usual seat at the small kitchen table. "Great." His smile fell and his eyebrows drew together. "Um, Bella, what is 'everything'?"

I grinned at him. "You don't have to worry Dad. I can cook like a decent human being. No chocolate covered pickles, I promise."

I laughed outright at his relieved expression. I could identify with it, I'd stopped eating Renee's cooking when I was five. Chocolate covered pickles was one of the better culinary concoctions she'd come up with.

When Charlie pulled out his equipment, and started replacing the batteries in his flashlight I figured the conversation was over so I turned to the stove and got down to business.

Fifteen minutes later the food was done, I carefully folded the omelets, placing them on a plate before turning to the table.

I saw Charlie sitting there expectantly, he reminded me of the big bad wolf from that fairy tale. The only thing he was missing was a bib tucked into his collar and a knife and fork in his hands.

I rolled my eyes and served his breakfast.

After the first tentative bite, Charlie attacked the food with a vigor that suggested he'd been starved for half his life. I smiled and fixed a glass of milk for him. If he didn't get something to help him swallow that stuff he was going to choke.

I placed the glass on the table in front of him, just as he raised his hand to get my attention. I looked at his face so I could read his lips, which was more difficult than normal because he was trying to talk around a mouthful of food. "Aren't you going to have any?"

I shook my head, "No. I already ate."

Charlie went back to eating and I went upstairs to shower, although I'd already done it the night before. Making breakfast turned out to be messier than I had originally planned and I didn't want to go to school smelling like onions.

I picked out my clothes for school and carried them along with my personal bag into the bathroom with me. It was too cramped to share a bathroom with Charlie so I kept my shower supplies in a little bag I could take back and forth with me.

I was in and out in three minutes since I didn't bother to wash my hair. It was too cold to walk around with a wet head anyway.

I dressed and went down stairs to see that Charlie had already left for work.

Intending to clean up the mess I'd made fixing breakfast I went into the kitchen and discovered that Charlie had already done it.

I had been relying on that to give me something to occupy myself with until it was time for school. With nothing else to do, I went upstairs and curled up on my bed to reread Gone with the Wind.

I glanced at the clock every so often so I wouldn't be late for school.

As it was, I'd made it to the fifth chapter before I could even think about leaving. I decided to do it anyway. I would be early but maybe I would find a decent parking place this time.

I made it to school in record time, even though I drove slower than usual. I parked in my usual spot, away from everyone else.

I didn't bother to get out. Instead, I opened my backpack and went over the homework I had to turn in today. I couldn't find anything wrong, but, again it was something to do.

Why?

What did I have to feel anxious about? It didn't make any sense, I wasn't a flighty person. I couldn't remember a situation where my anxiety and nervousness weren't a direct product of an outside source. Why would I start having these feelings now, for no reason?

Maybe I needed to call mom.

Vibrations pulled my attention away from thoughts of a potential mental breakdown and towards the door at my left.

I glanced up and groaned. Great, Mike again. Is he ever going to leave me alone?

Sighing, I stuffed my homework into my backpack with no regard for the condition it would be in when I handed it over to the teachers.

Marshaling my patience, I opened the door and climbed out. Mike instantly started talking, "Got here early today, did you?"

I nodded, resisting the urge to point out what a stupid question that was, considering there was a grand total of five cars in the lot and classes wouldn't start for another thirty minutes. Mike was an idiot.

Shouldering my backpack, I walked slowly towards building one, Mike trailing along at my side chatting at the air particles happily. I ignored him and let my eyes roam, examining my surroundings and taking note of any moving vehicles or obstacles I would need to avoid.

I smiled when I saw Angela standing a few yards away. Using the signal every girl swears by, I tapped my thigh subtly. I saw her smile in response and nod slightly. Thank God, she understood.

She reached us as we were walking past the outdoor restrooms.

"Hey, Mike. Bella, can I talk to you for a second?" She didn't even stop moving, speaking to Mike and grabbing my arm at the same time. "You can have her back in just a minute Mike," She threw over her shoulder, simultaneously dragging me into the nearest ladies room. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, I chanted in my head, trying not to smile.

The second the door shut behind us, I grinned at her and signed, "Thank you. You're a life saver."

She nodded her head regally. "I know. Besides, I really do need to talk to you."

I nodded, waiting to hear what she wanted. I waited, and waited. "About what," I asked.

She took a breath, "I need a favor."

I nodded again, "Okay." I didn't know what she wanted but if I could help, I would. She rescued me from Mike after all, that deserves to be rewarded in kind.

She bit her lip and signed, "It's kind of a big favor. You see, Jessica, Lauren and I are going shopping in Port Angeles Saturday. We need dresses for the girls' choice dance, and if I go with them I'll wind up wearing something slutty. I was hoping you could go and give me a little objective criticism, you see?"

I didn't, but if that's what she wanted in return for saving me from Mike; she could have it. "Okay, I'll go."

She smiled. "Thanks Bella."

I took her speaking aloud to mean that we weren't being covert any longer, so I replied in kind. "You're welcome."

We spent the next few minutes chatting about stupid useless things that didn't really count as small talk, but it was relaxing. The anxiety I'd been dealing with all morning eased and I enjoyed being able to have one normal moment away of the science fiction novel that was my life.

Mike was still outside when we left but a flurry of white fluffs falling from the sky had captured his attention. He ran frantically from one small pile of sludge to another, scraping together balls of mush. I saw several boys standing around, all engaged in the same activity. Apparently, I'd interrupted them in the middle of a war, I'd just been lucky enough to do it while they were reloading.

Taking their distraction as divine intervention, I quickly stepped around the building and out of their line of sight. I'd been expecting it to snow but I was still slightly disgusted to see it happen. I hadn't ever actually seen or experienced snow, but I hadn't ever imagined it would be something I would enjoy.

I decided I'd been right, when I stepped in a particularly deep pile of slush that filled my sneaker and soaked my pants leg. The numbing coldness wasn't pleasant. Shaking my leg to dislodge any remaining snow, I scowled and went in search of my class. Hoping the forecast had been right and it would rain soon. I'd take wet and cold over snow any day.

O)O)O)O)O)O)O)O)O)O)O)O)O)O)O)O)O

Things went pretty smoothly from then on. Classes were easy and I didn't have to see Mike again until lunch, and even then Angela helped me again. She even took the empty seat beside me so that he was forced to sit somewhere else.

The food was normal today, but I still wasn't able to force myself to consider ingesting it. I opted for another apple and soda. Everyone had pretty much gotten used to my presence by now, so I was left to enjoy my lunch in peace.

I was sitting there ignoring everyone and sipping my soda, when Angela tapped me on the shoulder.

I turned to look at her as she mouthed, "Edward Cullen is staring at you again."

Edward?

I couldn't stop the thrill that shot through me when she spoke his name. I turned in my seat and looked toward the table that no one dared approach.

He was there, all right.

And he was staring at me again. Just like the first time, he seemed frustrated at me. I gazed into his yellow eyes and felt a flare of the same irritation.

I turned away and focused on my soda. I knew that there was a lot about vampires I didn't understand. But one thing I did comprehend is that a vampire always had a reason for what they did. If they killed someone and drained them dry it was because they were thirsty. If they killed another vampire it was because they felt threatened or that vampire had invaded their territory. They never did anything without a reason, even if their reasons were evil. So what was this vampire's motivation for his frustration towards me?

I glanced back again to see that he was still staring at me. But unlike the biology incident there wasn't hatred or anger in his eyes, just curiosity and frustration. Not that I understood what it meant, but it sounded like an improvement. Perhaps he wouldn't want to kill me this time. Not that I would be in that class long enough to find out. If he was back, I would have to transfer.

I went back to what was left of my lunch and forced myself to keep my eyes on my own table. I didn't look back at him, no matter how much I wanted too.

I was trying to lie low, doing anything that might reveal any curiosity with the Adonis Vampire was not exactly conductive to that. Therefore, I would simply have to avoid him. That would be best, and very explainable. Most humans shied away from the friendly vampires that walked among them. Even if they didn't consciously recognize them to be monsters, their survival instincts were enough to keep them away.

Plan A) Ignore the vampires and everyone else, Plan B) Ignore the vampires ans everyone else, simple.

Fortunately, Mike was absorbed in his own little world and didn't try to speak to me the entire hour. He did, however, insist on walking me to biology.

I smiled as I stepped outside the cafeteria. It had rained, as promised. There wasn't a single snowflake in sight, nothing more than icy flecks that flowed away with the water.

Now if only Mike would disappear.

O) O)) O))) O)))) O)))))

My hopes weren't completely in vain. Mike didn't say a word until we got to the door to biology class.

I was a few feet away from the door, and freedom, when he stepped in front of me, effectively blocking my path.

My stomach bottomed out as I glanced up at his face. I knew what he was going to say. I can't explain how I knew, I just did.

Maybe what alerted me was the fact that his face had gone beet red. I briefly entertained the picture of him passing out from lack of oxygen.

Seriously, it would be great. He would turn from red to purple, his eyes would bulge, giving him the appearance of a squishy toy, and then he would fall to the floor-landing on his face.

I looked down, hiding behind my hair as I smiled at the image. The last thing I needed right now was to accidentally encourage Mike.

My smile fell as I sighed quietly. It wasn't going to happen, even if I really, really wanted it to. As my mind came up with excuses to do it and reasons not too, I imagined I had a little devil on one shoulder, trying to convince me to do it, and an angel on the other, acting as my conscience.

"It could definitely happen. You could make it happen!" The Devil smiled before looking down and picking non-existent lint off his pointed tail.

"No you can't. Why would you do that when all you have to do is say no?" The angel seemed angrier than I would have expected.

Aren't angels supposed to be serene?

"Oh, let me think. So she doesn't have to deal with the pathetic, nonsensical entity that wears human skin and calls itself Mike Newton. All it would take was a tiny, itsy bitsy, almost insignificant, little smidgen of effort on your part. It would be so easy. Stop his chest from moving so he can't inhale. That isn't anything that would expose you." The Devil spoke to the angel, seeming to forget I was the one he needed to convince.

"But it's wrong, what if he has a heart murmur or some medical condition and he dies because of you?"

Okay, there is something seriously wrong here. Even my angel, the personification of my conscience, is ignoring me.

The devil waived his hand as if the angel's worries didn't matter. "Get a grip, you little white bastard. Heart murmurs are very rare, what are the odds that Mike has one?"

My angel glared as she showed her teeth in a grimace. "But what if he breaks his nose when he lands and it goes into his brain and kills him. I know he annoys you. Hell, he annoys me, but he doesn't deserve to die because he's an idiot."

"There you go, being stupid again. She could easily put a shield around his head... Did you just swear?" The devil gaped at my angel, a smile spreading across her face.

"Of course, I didn't. Stop trying to distract me. She shouldn't risk doing something that might harm the boy. And stop calling me names, I'm the angel here. Show some respect, you little shithead."

"Oh, be still my heart. I knew you had a dark side just waiting to come out." The devil clapped his hands gleefully. "

"I do not." The angel calmly reached up and pulled her halo out of thin air. Making a big show of polishing it, she placed it delicately on her head, and stared at the devil regally.

"Oh, come on now, don't deny it. You just swore for the second time."

Dropping the facade my angel glared and spat, "Ass-hat."

"Hah, that's three."

I waved my hand in front of my face and shook my head a little, trying to dispel the images my mind had conjured up. I'm going insane.

Okay, if I can't injure him, what do I do?

I'd never considered myself a coward, and I wasn't. However, I was more than willing to be spineless if it meant I could escape the coming embarrassment.

I glanced up at him and winced. Apparently he wasn't comfortable with this situation either. He stared at the floor, blushing, and clenching his hands.

I briefly wondered how long he'd been standing there trying to work up the courage, while I had a mini-breakdown. Definitely not more than a minute.

Which meant class would be starting soon, so he was pressed for time.

Crap. I looked down and redoubled my effort, desperately trying to think of a way to avoid the coming conversation. My mind refused to cooperate, all I saw were pictures and flashes of conversations I'd had since my relocation to Forks. I saw Jake smiling and Mrs. Cope handing me the schedule. I saw Charlie sitting at the dinner table...

Charlie! That's it. Charlie would be my excuse. I'll tell him that Charlie and I have plans.

I was a horrible liar, but Mike was an idiot, so I could pull it off.

Despite the fact that I felt as if I were going to puke, I put on my best expectant expression and stared at his lips.

'Bella... Um, I was thinking that maybe... If you wanted too...' He paused, and took a deep breath. 'There's this new movie premiering in Port Angeles this Saturday, and I thought that we could go see it. Together, if you want. You know, like a date?"

He hadn't looked me in the eye since he began, which made me happy. If he wasn't looking at me, I would have a much better chance of pulling off a believable lie. I cocked my head as if I were thinking and said. "Oh. Mike, I'm sorry, but I have plans with Charlie."

"Oh, okay. That's cool, maybe later," he mumbled, blushing the entire time.

I did not respond, and he turned quickly, practically running through the classroom door.