Bella sat up.
"…Edward?" she called.
*knock*knock*knock*
"OK…relax. Edward wouldn't leave me if it wasn't safe. Everyone is out hunting…it's probably just…" she said to herself then looked at the alarm clock next to her. It marked 1:39 a.m. Who could it be at this hour? She thought.
*knock*knock*KNOCK*
"I KNOW you girls are awake! I heard you all making a huge racket!" a voice shouted from behind the door.
A girl…a human. Bella thought.
With a sigh of relief, Bella got out of bed to open the door.
"Finally," the girl outside said, "I've been knocking for half an hour!"
"…No you haven't, I just now-" Bella started.
"Whatever. I live right next door and have been listening to you and your friends coming in and out and making a ruckus!" The girl attempted to look inside.
Bella opened the door a bit further, "there's no one here. Well, I mean…Alice…my roommate, is showering right now. I uhmm opened a-"
"I don't hear the shower running," the girl interrupted with a finger in the air, listening attentively.
"Right," Bella tried to explain, "she must be out already. But uhm, I opened a window for fresh air, that must've been what you heard…"
"Fresh air? …you know you're in Alaska right? Wanna catch pneumonia or something?" she asked, hands in hips and eye brow raised.
"I like…the cold…?" Bella said, half questioning it herself.
"I'm Stacy. I take safety and my school very seriously. I hope I don't hear any more disturbances around here again. " And with that, Stacy turned and left, her arms crossed.
Weird... Was all Bella could think.
(She'll be important later.)
"All right, I'm leaving for class! Bella, are you sure you don't want me to walk you to class?" Alice stood by the door with a hopeful look on her face, yet knowing the answer.
Bella shook her head, "Alice…please, I don't need a babysitter. And I know you all feel like you need to take care of me…but it makes me feel like…a burden."
Alice walked towards her and was at the couch by Bella's side in a second, "Bella! You are not a burden! I've always wanted a best friend, a sister, just like you! To hang out, walk to class with. Rosalie isn't the most…outgoing of beings, you know."
Bella gave her an uncertain smile.
With a hug, Alice whispered, "once you're one of us you'll see I bug you just as much! We'll be even greater friends!"
That did the trick. It cheered Bella right up just as Alice had hoped.
"I hope so," Bella said.
In a graceful dance-like move, Alice was out the door, "see you at lunch!"
It wasn't time for the first set of classes to begin, but since Alice didn't have breakfast, she met up with Jasper before class.
After helping herself to a bowl of cereal, toast, and a glass of orange juice, Bella grabbed her bag and headed to her Art Appreciation class. She might not be an artist herself, but she really enjoyed looking at masterpieces and studying the artist's background, something Edward got her interested in.
The class met up in a room at the library. Bella walked in and took her seat near the back; she was never a fan of the spotlight and avoided being on the front row as much as she could. Shortly after taking her seat, there was a hand on her shoulder.
"Beautiful!" a familiar voice called.
Bella turned around knowing its owner but still a bit surprised, "Jason? You're in this class?"
"What a wonderful surprise! Looks like we're classmates!" Jason said, he got up and moved to the seat next to her, "How are you?"
Bella looked around the room, "Clarisse is not with you?"
"Psh, what does it seem like we're like that? I'm single hun," he gave her a flirtatious smirk.
Bella shook her head, "Uhm… no, I didn't mean it like that…I just thought...at least Gabriel would be with you."
"I know, I'm just kidding! Well, I am single. But no, we're not together every minute. Damn that would be so annoying, I'm sure you understand. It looks like you like your alone time, too. But, did you think I would need Gabriel with me to hide my thoughts all the time? I've got nothing to hide, babe." Jason said, making Bella feel even more uncomfortable.
"Just 'Bella' please," she asked.
"Oh, I mean no disrespect! It's just how I am, hun," Jason said.
The teacher came in just then. After a short lecture on a variety of artists, she told everyone to get with a partner to study a painting.
Great… Bella thought.
"Partners?" Jason asked, "We can get to know each other."
"I don't know if Edward will think this is-"
"What is he your boss?" Jason questioned.
"No…he just worries…"
"Fine. I can see I'm not wanted." Jason began gathering his books.
"I'm sorry…events in the past have made us very…careful. We can work on this project, I'm just being paranoid. I hope you understand," Bella said.
"Of course," Jason said, "don't worry, I wouldn't hurt ya."
Once everyone got their partner, they began working for the next hour until the teacher dismissed the class.
The day went on, and it turned out that Bella had Jason for her next class too, along with Gabriel. Jason also showed up in Photography and Government, with Gabriel.
In all classes, Jason and Gabriel behaved normally. Bella began to feel more at ease about the new vampires.
After the end of their last class, Edward and Bella walked back to Bella's dorm together.
"I don't like that he is in every single one of your classes," Edward began, "I don't trust him."
"He's doesn't seem bad, have you read his mind?" Bella asked.
"It's impossible," Edward said, "Gabriel is always around."
"Not in my first class. You should stop by, if it will make you feel better," Bella suggested.
The next B day, Edward did just that and was unable to pick up anything odd from Jason.
Two weeks went by and everything was going smoothly. Their new vampire friends even joined the Cullens for 'lunch' a couple of times.
"This is taking too long," Jason said to Clarisse. They were all gathered by the mountains out back.
"Jason, it's only been about two weeks," Clarisse answered.
"My point exactly," Jason shot back. "We should have finished them by now."
"I actually think we might need a couple of more weeks to fully gain their trust, especially Edward's," a shy Gabriel suggested.
"No! I'm not waiting anymore! I need my revenge!" Jason shouted at him.
"You sure that's all you need? I've seen how you look at her," Clarisse elbowed Jason.
Jason smiled, "Of course, she's part of my plan too. A bonus actually. It's like I'll have my revenge and on top of that I'll receive a gift."
"Bella wasn't part of the plan!" Gabriel shouted.
"Whoa! Look who lost his indoor voice!" Clarisse walked towards him, "you better watch your tone. Didn't you read the contract? Rules are subject to change." She laughed, "and remember where your loyalty lies, don't you dare soften up to them!"
Gabriel gave a few steps back but insisted, "I just don't see the point of hurting the human. You said you wanted to destroy Edward and the Cullen clan."
Jason smiled, "Gabriel, you're a genius. What better way to break Edward than breaking his heart."
Gabriel shook his head, "You know that's not what I-"
"A new plan then?" Clarisse asked Jason, ignoring Gabriel.
"Yes," Jason responded. "Make sure to keep the Cullens out of my way tomorrow."
All right! Last chapter before things get heated up! I'll begin working on the next chapter as soon as tonight! So stay tune for a much timely update.