CHAPTER 7 – ANOTHER FIRST DAY
Mad World – Gary Jules
All around me are familiar faces
Worn out places, worn out faces
Bright and early for their daily races
Going nowhere, going nowhere
Their tears are filling up their glasses
No expression, no expression
Hide my head I want to drown my sorrow
No tomorrow, no tomorrow
A/N: To Valentine Rain – you're not taking it too far – surprise it was picked up but I'm glad you did. A Mark if along the right lines...For the sake of suspense – I'll keep it to myself.
Don't stress too much about Bella and Jacob.
Enjoy this chapter – First day of school … we've all been there
Sorry for the delay but I moved to a new place so my wifi was down and I am beyond pissed but good news is I've written quote a lot so I'll be updating a lot. Plus I added an extra long chappie…
As I rolled into the parking lot of the small high school, I took deep breaths to prevent hyperventilating with the sight of teenage humans as they turned their curious stares to the splattering of my truck and then to the owner of the truck, unfortunately being me.
Hiding behind my hair, I quickly found a place to park close to the entrance and rested my head on the steering wheel once the engine died down. For some reason, I couldn't figure out the reason as to why I had turned up and the doubts began to overtake my sense if reason.
Don't be a coward. Be a fighter!
I repeated the words to myself, creating a mantra until the voice in my head replaying the words was no longer mine and had transformed into my father's. Blinking away the threatening tears, I snapped my head up, staring at the first building where the reception was ignoring the feeling of being watched.
Don't be a coward. Be a fighter!
Turning to the passenger seat, I picked up the new canvas bagpack that I had bought and slung it over my shoulder before stepping out.
Don't be a coward. Be a fighter!
Be a fighter.
I shook my head clear of any worries as I composed my expression though my jaw remained tight and clenched. Making my way towards the reception, I tried to ignore the gaping eyes that were prickling my skin and fought to keep my eyes trained onto the glass doors up ahead.
My feet were mechanical as I slowly made my way to the sanctuary of the reception – wishing to be away from their scrutinising eyes. I could feel them judging me – feel the conflicting emotions as they weren't sure of what to make of me – feel their curiosity about the new girl.
I knew this would be my name for the next couple of months.
Once I reached the doors, I paced my hand on the bar to push it open still feeling hundreds of eyes burning holes at the back of my head but I didn't dare to turn around. Instead, I continued to play ignorant new girl and stepped inside the reception.
I heard the shrill sound of the bell ringing and sighed knowing that they wouldn't be waiting outside after this. Still, I was proud of getting through that without a panic attack so I allowed myself a small smile to tug at my lips as I rested on the wall with a relieved sigh.
"You alright?" a voice broke through and I snapped my eyes open to meet the elderly woman with short white curly hair wearing a yellow shirt with a grey waistcoat behind the counter. Her reading glasses were hanging around her neck but as she caught sight of me, she pulled them on.
Comprehending that I must seem like I was scared, I recoiled away from the wall and walked towards her. "Oh yes, I'm fine" feeling myself flush with embarrassment again. "First day jitters" I explained when she rose her eyebrow at me.
"I didn't know of any new students" she fretted and ran her fingers through her hair and brought the glasses back down as she rifled through the stacks of papers in search for documents that she would never find.
"Well there is now" I smiled sweetly before allowing myself into her mind.
This is strange…Mr Greene didn't mention anything…Then again that man is always so cryptic… her thoughts were then pulled away as I took them into my own.
Looking back at her, I was satisfied as her eyes glazed over and she became expressionless, her lips parted as she cleared her mind to me, "I'm gonna need you to enrol me in this school. So if you could be kind and just put me in the school system" smiling sweetly as she began to type into the computer.
"Now what is your full name?" she asked and I paused.
I hadn't thought of that – seeing as I needed a cover, I couldn't use Isabella Swan. I would have to simplify it and use my middle name. "Put in Bella Marie" I instructed and she nodded before turning back to the computer and filling it in.
"Date of Birth?"
"19th September 18- 1994", catching myself quickly before I could make the easy mistake.
"Next of kin?" she asked innocently.
Still, I couldn't help the frustration that flared making me ignore her ignorance as I snarled at her. "How about you just print me the timetable and the map of the school?" already twisting her way of thinking so she'd agree with me. "I can fill this in later"
She then drew up an example timetable and I looked through the lessons:
Trigonometry - Mr. Varner
Government - Mr. Jefferson
Spanish – Mrs. Goff
English Literature- Mr. Mason
LUNCH
AP Biology -Mr. Banner
Gym - Coach Clap
It all seemed satisfactory but seeing as I already fluent in Spanish so that would be a bore. "Could you please switch Spanish to World History?" I asked and she complied before turning back to the computer and typed it in; World History – Mrs. Morgan
"Better" I gave a resigned sigh as I felt the beginnings of my headache due to the long-term use of compulsion plus I hadn't exactly eaten enough for breakfast – too nervous to even eat any of my chocolate chip muffins.
Mrs. Cope, then closed down the programme, printed off the timetable and then handed it to me along with the poorly printed map of the three buildings on a blue sheet of paper along with a yellow sheet of paper that was listed with extra-curricular activities.
Once she did this, I pulled away from her mind but still keeping her under my compulsion, "Have a good day sweetie" she smiled, her eyes still dull with the aftershocks of my power but I could see the life returning so I returned it with my own faltering grin.
Before leaving, I took a quick glance at the clock and caught that it was now 9:00 - classes had already started. Good news was that I would make my way through the halls but the bad news would be that the eyes would still be on me as I arrived to Trigonometry.
-XxX-
As I stepped into the classroom, everybody's heads turned to me and the all too familiar curious stares were now directed at me.
I focused on the more aged face belonging to the middle-aged man sat at the desk, dressed in a taupe suit with a crispy white shirt and a wrinkled red tie along with shiny black shoes. His black hair was obviously wore a wig because I could see his real grey tufts on hair seeping out. "Hello…" he crossed his arms over his chest with a bored tone though his eyes reflected his surprise, "I didn't know Forks was going to be receiving a new student" he added with speculating eyes.
Shuffling my feet, I gripped the strap of my bag tightly onto my shoulder before replying, "Oh, um it was all very last minute", trying not to sound as timid as I felt under the intense gawking but still forced my eyes away from the class but instead tried to fixate on my stare on the stain-like pattern on his tie.
"Well come in, we don't bite" his tone filled with sarcasm making the class chuckle. I felt nothing extremely bad or good – simply neutral. Safe. "I'm Mr Varner, your Trigonometry teacher" he introduced himself, placing a palm on his chest as I ushered myself further inside.
Before I could make a quick escape to any of the seats available, , he called back to me, "Could you introduce yourself?"
Pausing in my tracks, I gave a shy smile and shuffled closer, inclining my body towards the class and gulping as everywhere I looked were a pair of eyes that were glued onto me, "I'm Bella Marie" I started with a scratchy voice then attempted to choke down on my self-consciousness, "I…uh, just moved here from New York" that comment earned a few impressed looks but an increase in the lustful stares from the guys along with jealous ones from some of the girls - both to which I pretended to ignore.
"Well welcome to Forks High" there was nothing welcoming about his voice, "Please take a seat" he instructed in a monotone voice holding out his hand towards the rows of seats and I cautiously turned my head towards some of the students who sat up to try and draw attention to themselves so I could pick them while some continued to slouch and watch me curiously.
My eyes landed on one at the back corner – away from exploratory eyes. Perfect.
Pulling at my strap to my shoulder, I self-consciously made my way towards the back, ignoring the whispers that I left trailed behind.
Keeping my head down so the hair fell onto my face, I slipped into the seat, leaving the bag on the floor next to my desk. Looking down, I found the carvings on the desk – crude words and people's names marked onto the wood but I was then startled as a large textbook landed on the desk.
Looking up, I found it was him – Mr. Varner looking down at me, "Chapter 7 – The Pythagoras theorem. Any questions ask whoever's next to you" he droned before walking back to the front, his fingers locked behind his back with his steady steps.
Rolling my eyes at his idea of me needing help, I flicked through the pages to Chapter 7 and bit back the scoff at the list of easy questions – practically repetition.
Pulling out the blue notebook that I'd bought and the black ink handwriting pen, I began the work through the questions though I did wish it'd challenge me a little, up some kind of. That'd make school slightly more interesting.
Just as I finished the sixth question, I felt a tap on my shoulder making me flinch for a second before turning to my side to find the peppy brunette dressed in a tank top and a short skirt with heels and I narrowed my eyes at her clothing before taking a read from her.
I could detect the profound darkness that was hidden behind many of her agendas. She craved for attention – to be in the spotlight especially when drawing in the male attention which meant there was a reason she was talking to me.
"Hey, I'm Jessica" she began and I but back the eye roll and the sarcastic scoff.
I don't recall asking.
"Uh hi" I gave a false smile though she didn't focus enough on it as her grin grew wider. "You're the new kid huh?" she asked but as I opened my mouth to answer, she interrupted, "I remember when I was the new kid, really sucks huh" this time I kept quiet knowing she wasn't really searching for a response, "Don't worry it'll get better especially when you have a friend like me"
A friend like her huh?
The sound of her clapping her hands startled me again and I widened my eyes as I stared back at her, "Ooh, you should sit with me at lunch" she exclaimed excitedly, her eyes wide and bright with enthusiasm.
Funny how she hadn't asked – more like decided for me…
Then again, I should give her a chance especially seeing as it was my first day. Dropping my pen onto the paper, I gave her full attention as I answered with as much animation as I could master, "That sounds great"
"Awesome" was her reply before she turned back to her pink glittery phone with a sly smirk while I simply sighed and went back to the all-too entertaining maths questions.
-XxX-
Trigonometry - Mr. Varner
Government - Mr. Jefferson
World History
English Literature- Mr. Mason
LUNCH
AP Biology -Mr. Banner
Gym - Coach Clap
Trigonometry had passed by quickly and I'd rushed out of the room when the prickly feeling on my skin from the stares had become too much. Mr. Varner had told us to finish the questions for homework which meant I didn't have any for that seeing as I worked through them all before our next class.
Second period of had been quite boring – so repetitive and even worse when I was going through it with Mr. Jefferson's droning plus it had grown annoying when he kept referring to how his life in university when studying Government.
By the time I was in World History, my mind had trapped itself in a daze as my thought fleeted off into different topics even through English Literature. Each lesson I was ignored by the teachers once I gave the same introductory story about my 'life'.
Now that I was walking towards lunch, my mind was now filled with doubts – second thoughts and questions as to why I was even here. Trying to ignore the whispers of building rumours and the gaping stares, I thought about leaving and residing in a new town – starting over again with a newer story – maybe return to working in the hospital but decided against it when the image of my remodelled cabin popped into my mind,
"Bella!" a sugary sweet voice called to me and I whipped my head around to catch an almost manic Jessica waving her hand to motion for me to join her which as she probably anticipated, had grabbed the whole cafeteria's attention.
Gritting my teeth while gripping my tray tightly but still being careful not to break the fragile plastic, I bowed my head before shuffling towards her, the heat coloring my cheeks. As I neared the table, I caught sight of the two boys who were rudely staring at me. One with short blond hair and a contemplating expression of his face, the one sat on the table had slick black hair that seemed to have been dunked in a tub of gel. His all too eager grin was making me weary and I contemplated running away again but pushed those thoughts away as my feet neared them.
Walking around to the free seat next to Jessica, I placed my tray on the table and sat down, "thanks again for this" I whispered remembering my manners.
"No problem. Us girls gotta stick together" she joked but when I turned to her I saw she wasn't looking at me but at the blonde haired teenager, a small crease forming on her forehead. Daring myself, I faced the boy and caught that he was staring back at me and once he caught my eyes, a wide smile spread across his face, this evidently had an increase on the frustration that Jessica was feeling which hit me before I could control it.
Pretending to ignore this, I gave a fleeting smile back before returning to my food and picking up the first thing I saw which turned out to be the shiny green apple. I actually loved green apples – instead of a sweet tooth like my mama, I was like father and preferred the sour things.
It seemed that Jessica had calmed down realizing that I wasn't staring back at Mike. I was not here to make enemies but I was also not here to form any relationships.
As I bit into the apple, my appreciation for the taste was interrupted when the black haired one asked, "So Jess, who's your friend?" his voice was slow and suggestive and the wink he directed towards me made me feel ill as I took another bite of my apple.
Swallowing down the bite, I was about to answer but Jessica beat me to it. "This is Bella Marie. She just over here" she introduced me with less enthusiasm but still wearing her false grin. "Bella this is Mike and Eric" she gestured towards them and I gave a shy wave.
"Oh from where?" the one I now knew was Mike, finally found his voice but still he continued to stare at me but now he had acquitted an almost creepy smile.
Flicking through the American cities, I finally landed on what I had said, "From New York" I answered with another fake smile which seemed to have been perceived in the wrong way as his grin grew wider and he opened his mouth to say something else but was interrupted.
"Hey guys" the soft kind voice came from the tall brunette but she'd tied it back into a pony tail and was dressed in a simple long sleeved t-shirt and jeans. From her, got nothing but kindness – she was good.
Next to her was a brown haired boy that was slightly taller than her, his arm possessively wrapped around her waist. He wore a welcoming smile as he looked down at me. He too was good.
Both slipped into the seats next to me, the girl was now sat next to me.
"Hey Angela, this is Bella. She's from new York" Jessica filled her in.
Her eyes grew wide with surprise and excitement – her reaction was genuine which pleased me but also had me feeling guilty because I was now lying to someone I actually thought was good. Last time I'd been in New York was in the 50s. Although I felt bad, it was necessary. "That's so cool. It must be a very different to being here" she commented.
I nodded before answering timidly after swallowing down the bite, "It is different but I like it" that hadn't been a lie.
Her boyfriend whose arm was now around her shoulder while she played with his fingers, reached round to look at me and added, "Well we like having you here" he answered happily. There was nothing suggestive about it – just a friendly welcoming to which I returned with a small grateful smile.
"Oh yes we do" another male joined us, this one was dark-skinned, his dark eyes were glittering with mischief and was being followed by a blonde girl dressed very similarly to Jessica. She wore a sour expression as she glared at me so I tore my eyes away from her and looked at my apple. Not feeling so hungry anymore.
Jessica was now animated once again as the blonde haired one took a seat next to her, "Bella, this is Lauren and Tyler". Again I offered a shy wave which the one named Tyler grinned at but the Lauren girl sneered at and turned to Jessica, pulling her into a whispered conversation.
Why were humans so evil sometimes?
What was the point in living a life where you judge people?
What was the point of living in anger?
The question had always plagued my mind and when I asked father about it, all he had said was that was why we existed. We had to maintain the balance but be careful in how we do it.
"How's your day going so far?" Angela broke through my memories and I snapped my head up to her, still dazed from the tear-jerking memories of my first day in high school. I had faced bullying but usually ignored them which was supposed to work according to my mama until that dreadful day when paint covered my hair all because of the powerful emotion of jealousy.
When I didn't answer she gave a small smile, "I know it can be hard but it's only the first week. It gets easier" she assured me, "And if you need any help, me and Ben don't mind showing you around" she gave a casual wink and I gave her a grin.
This time – genuine.
A/N: Not always as bad as it seems - then again my first day of high school had been horrible...do not want to relive that.
Review for the next chapter.