The Learning Curve: Chapter 114
Forks High School
Our first day back to school after spring break – after the visit to Hanover, after the engagement – had me nervous as hell.
I'd tackled the people that really mattered – my parents and Alice – but there was still a whole school to face, a school that couldn't possibly miss my ring entirely. I hoped most people would fail to notice or assume it was just me being an idiot, putting a ring on that finger, but I knew I wouldn't be so lucky.
Lauren Mallory was the first to notice it, and in first period no less – in the middle of class. One moment it was all derivatives and rates of change, the next it was a squawking voice saying, "Are you fucking serious? You're engaged?"
She was sent to the principal's office for the outburst, but it didn't stop the other students from gawking at her left hand the whole hour and whispering behind their textbooks.
By the time she met Edward at the door to their English class, the entire school knew, or suspected at least. She'd never actually confirmed anything.
"I'm sorry, Bella," Edward whispered. "I know you didn't want it to be a big deal. And it probably wouldn't be – I mean, it can't be the first high-school marriage in a town this small – but I think…because it's me, with the reputation I had…"
"They all think I'm pregnant," I surmised miserably.
"They don't think you're pregnant. …Okay, some of them think you're pregnant," he amended after I shot him a look, but it's still two months until we graduate. I think they'll start to notice that you're not showing. Just…wear really tight shirts," Edward suggested with a smug little grin at his own ingenuity.
I shook my head. "Only you could get me to suffer through this. If I didn't love you so much…"
Edward just smiled, choosing to hear the compliment in my words. "Love you, too. And I promise I'll make it all worth your while."
I raised an eyebrow at his suggestive tone. "How are you going to do that?"
"Well," he said slowly, "I've been planning our honeymoon."
I frowned. "How can you plan a honeymoon if we haven't set a date?"
He shrugged. "I haven't made anything official yet. But we have to do something. I refuse to spend our wedding night at my parents' house, and we both know your house isn't even an option."
"I hadn't thought about that," I mused with a sudden scowl. "I want a proper wedding night."
"And I will make sure you have one," Edward said. "Now come on – the bell's going to ring in like thirty seconds."
"Okay," I said, reluctantly letting him lead me by the hand into the English classroom. Waiting to go in was a miscalculation, I realized. Everyone was already in their seats, and they all looked up when we walked in.
It was only Edward towing me along that got me into my seat. My face felt impossibly flushed.
To my surprise, a shy girl I'd rarely spoken to named Angela Weber was the first to lean across the aisle to talk to us.
"I think you make a really great couple," she whispered, and I recognized the same blush of embarrassment on her cheeks that I felt on mine. "Congratulations."
"Thank you." There was no articulating how much those words meant at that moment, but I hoped Angela could hear it in my voice somehow.
The bell rang loudly, interrupting the moment, and the teacher stood to begin her lesson. I sank back in my chair, trying to catch my breath and knowing the day would likely get much worse before it was over.
A/N: You understand, when I say I want to get married, I mean I want to get married to the absolute right one - and I want him -now-. And the wedding isn't all that exciting for me...but having someone who's happy to see me when I get home, other than my cat? Yeah, that would be nice.
But, you know, different strokes for different folks.