Chapter Nine
Bella
Charlie's first two days at home were awkward to say the least, he was frustrated at being so weak and tired and he wasn't used to being nursed. He'd lived alone for so many years he found it difficult having someone else share his space but he tried really hard and I did too. Living here with Charlie was strange, I was used to the noise and chaos of Renee's way of life and Charlie's was more peaceful, less stressful in the long run and we soon settled into a routine. Despite Renee's warnings I took on the cooking, Charlie handing over the house keeping money with relief, I also did the washing and we kept the place tidy between us, neither of us were untidy so it wasn't difficult, in fact soon the routine was set and I began to enjoy living with my dad. Although he was chomping at the bit to get back to work he found little things to do and it was almost like living with a house mate. The next hurdle was school, I was painfully self-conscious not helped by an aptitude for falling over anything less than a perfectly flat surface. I didn't know any of the people who were at Forks High School and I dreaded the walk almost as much as dad driving me in the cruiser. He knew this though bless him and the evening before school resumed Jake and Billy turned up in two cars, well a car and a battered old red truck which I thought was rather odd until I found out the reason. Dad had bought the truck from Billy for me. It was old and weathered and the engine was rough and noisy but it was mine and I fell in love with it immediately. At least with this amount of metal around me I stood a good chance of surviving a crash and with my luck that was always on the cards!
I left early the next morning, the thought of everyone staring as I drove up in my tank was more than I could bear so I got into the parking lot before many of the other students and sat with a book until I saw the office staff arrive then took a deep breath and got out the truck grabbing my bag and walking slowly to the school reception. The school seemed so small compared to my old one and I was sure everyone knew everyone else so I would be a novelty. I was right of course, they all knew who I was and all eyes were on me as I entered each new class. By lunchtime I had a couple of new friends, Angie Webber who I liked immediately, she was friendly without being nosy, and Jessica Stanley who was friendly enough but I could feel the questions ready to burst from her. She seemed to think that because we had both come to Forks from outside I would feel the same way about the town as she did. I think she felt a little superior where as I felt awkward and nervous but time would tell. Lunch in the school cafeteria wasn't too bad, I sat with the two of them and they introduced me to the others at their table who all seemed nice enough. One of the guys, Mike Newton who had obviously caught Jessica's eye took a little more interest than I found comfortable but he'd soon find out I wasn't interested in dating, just getting through school.
It was noisy as all school cafeterias are but there was a sudden lull and I turned to see five more students enter then the noise started again. I couldn't take my eyes from them, I'd never seen five such gorgeous creatures together before, even in Hollywood! Jessica saw my look and smiled,
"Meet our celebrity family, the Cullens, well strictly speaking its the Cullens and Hales but they all live with Dr and Mrs Cullen."
"Right, I met him at the hospital. Wow, there's a hot gene in there somewhere I guess."
"Yeah well put your tongue back in Bella. The blonde ice queen Rosalie Hale is going out with the huge hunk Emmett Cullen and the little pixie is with Rosalie's brother Jasper, the one who looks like he'd rather be somewhere else."
"What about the other one?"
"That is Edward Cullen, the most eligible bachelor in Forks but he thinks he's better than the rest of us."
Angie frowned,
"Jessica got snubbed by him when she asked him to last years dance so she's a little biased but she's also right. He doesn't seem interested in anyone."
I looked over at their table, they sat alone and were not so subtly shunned by the other students. My eyes roamed over the five of them, Emmett and Rosalie had their backs to our table but I could see the others and I felt eyes on me, Edward and Jasper were both looking although Jaspers eyes went down the moment I looked at him. Alice watched me, a smile playing about her lips as if she knew something that amused her.
Edward
The moment I set eyes on Bella Swan I knew there was something special about her, then I got a whiff of her blood and the vampire in me roared for more. I clenched my fists under the table to force myself to keep still. All I wanted to do was to lure her outside somewhere quiet and drain her, knowing it would quench the fire in my throat instantly. I pushed my chair back but Jasper shook his head and Emmett grabbed my arm,
"No way Edward. You fight this or we're all dead."
"Yes Edward, just control yourself, I like it here and I'm not letting you ruin it for us all."
Roses hiss was very low but I heard every word as I swallowed down the venom that had flooded my mouth. I was so concerned with controlling myself that although I heard someone else was interested in her I couldn't pinpoint who. Looking around anxiously I saw Mike Newton making cow eyes, perhaps it had been him. I got up suddenly,
"I need some air."
"I'll go with you"
Emmett shadowed me out past Bella's table and into the parking lot.
"Edward you're in deep trouble man if Bella's blood affects you this badly. You need to stay well away from her, talk to Carlisle. I have to tell you that controlling your thirst when it's that strong is almost impossible".
I stood taking deep breaths, I was stronger than Emmett, I would control myself, besides I wasn't sure it was thirst or a deep longing to know her better.
We had two classes together, biology and English and in the first we were partnered up which made things really difficult and I struggled against my demons until the bell went then I ran straight home. Emmett was right, I needed to talk to Carlisle, get some help because all I wanted to do was kill her, I couldn't even manage a conversation in class, if I'd opened my mouth I would have fixed my teeth in her neck. When I explained what had happened he suggested I went to Denali for a few weeks and figure things out.
"I doubt its more than thirst Edward and if you can control that by hunting a lot more regularly then you can beat it son."
I hated the thought of running but it was the only thing to do so I left straight away taking Carlisle's Mercedes as the sun had inconveniently come out and my Volvo didn't have tinted windows. As I drove towards the Canadian border I cursed my luck, why the hell did my singer have to move to Forks just when everything was going so well?