Chapter Ten

Bella

Biology had been the strangest experience I ever had, Edward Cullen sat beside me but as far away as he could manage and he seemed to be holding his breath as if I smelled bad, he didn't even speak to me which was plain rude so I decided I would do the same to him if he tried to speak in the future. When I got to my truck I felt eyes on me again and looking round expected to meet with his angry scowl but he wasn't in sight. The other Cullens were though and I seemed to be the focus of their combined interest. Rosalie caught my eye and scowled, great, two down three to go! Alice was still smiling faintly then turned as Emmett spoke to her, he had glanced over then turned away at a word from Rosalie which left only her brother Jasper and it seemed he couldn't or wouldn't look away like the others. He was tall and good-looking of course but there was something about him, a feeling of danger, an exciting feeling though and it was with difficulty I dragged my own eyes away from him and got in my truck. My heart was beating fast and I could hear my breathing, what the hell was this all about? I started the engine and drove slowly from the car park having to pass the Cullens as I did. I snatched a quick look as I went by and to my astonishment Jasper was still looking at me with a hint of puzzlement. I had noticed he had the same strange coloured eyes as Edward although his were more golden and less topaz. As I turned onto the highway I heaved a sigh of relief, the strange feeling seeped away but his eyes stayed in my mind until I got home when I saw Billy's car parked outside, did that mean Jake would be here too? I really just wanted to get my homework done and cook dinner, not spend time talking with him but of course there he was at the door grinning at me as I walked up the porch steps.

Jake

Bella didn't look as pleased to see me as I'd hoped, it seems we were no longer best friends. I knew she would grow away from me when she no longer visited Forks but I had hoped she might remember how close we had been when she moved back here to live with Charlie.

"Hi Bells I thought I'd pop and see Charlie, school got out early on the Res today. Sue sent over dinner just in case you were too busy with school work to cook."

"Thank Sue for me but I can cook dinner and still get my school work done. How is he?"

"Fed up already, chomping at the bit to get back to work. Harry's going to take him to the clinic to get his dressings changed tomorrow by the way".

"Good, I don't have to worry then do I? Well I'd better say hi then heat up dinner, Dad's been eating early since he got home."

"She said there was enough for me too."

She sighed but shrugged her shoulders,

"Then I guess you'll be staying Jake."

Bella

It seemed the Quileutes were determined to shove Jake down my throat whatever I wanted so I went through to see Dad. He was sitting in his chair with the TV on but he muted it as soon as he saw me and smiled,

"How was your first day at school Bells?"

"OK, I made a few friends, got plenty of homework but I don't think it will be hard to catch up, I've all ready covered some of the stuff."

"Right. So who did you pal up with?"

"Mike Newton, Angela Webber, and Jessica Stanley mainly. We all sat together for lunch. I saw Dr Cullens foster kids too."

I heard a mug smash in the kitchen and Jake came through slightly red-faced,

"Sorry I dropped a mug, just making coffee."

"Thanks Jake, don't worry about it."

"So Bella you met the Cullens?"

There was a strange tone to Jake's voice and Charlie groaned out loud,

"Don't start Jake, its bad enough your dad and Harry bitching about them whenever the name is mentioned., Its plain stupid".

"Weird aren't they?"

I shook my head,

"Not particularly Jake. I didn't speak to them but they seemed fine."

There was no way I was saying anything about the strange encounter with Edward.

"Really? Fine? You'd do well to keep away from them Bella."

"Jake enough, any more and you can leave. I don't feel well enough to rehash that particular argument at present."

After dinner Jake left because Charlie was tired and I had homework, or at least that was my excuse. Instead I rang Renee who had given me strict instructions she wanted to hear about my first day at school.

"So honey how did it go? Did you meet anyone worth talking to?"

"Yes I did, I met a few nice people actually."

"Really? I'm amazed. What about teachers and classes?"

"A few I've already covered but the teachers were fine. Dad is OK by the way, Jake came to see him this afternoon."

"No honey, Jake came to see you, he likes you a little too much I think".

"Well he needn't bother, I just want to concentrate on school and dad."

"Did you see Doctor Cullen again?"

"No, dads going to have a check up tomorrow, Harry's taking him but I did see his foster children at school."

"What are they like?"

"The usual, two arms, two legs, one head."

"You know what I mean Bella, are they gorgeous like him?"

"Well Alice is pretty and Rosalie is a stunner."

"Yes, go on, what about the guys?"

"Big, muscular, and spoken for."

It was a little white lie but it stopped her questions, in fact she sounded quite disappointed.

"Oh well, I guess you're a little young for a steady boyfriend anyway. Ring me again at the weekend and let me know how things are."

After I put the phone down I realized she hadn't asked about dad directly once, he was definitely not on Renee's radar these days.

I did my homework then went down to sit with Charlie who was, uncharacteristically for him, sitting with the TV off.

"You OK dad?"

He started at my question and I saw he'd been deep in thought,

"Sorry Bells, you were saying?"

"What's up dad?"

"I was thinking about the attack. I hit my head as I fell and I don't remember much about it but when I do get flashbacks it's not a bear, not heavy enough, too fast. I would have said a wolf but there you go, head injuries do strange things to you."

"Were you on your own?"

"I went out with Sam and Paul looking for animal tracks but we got separated in the forest. I think I remember Paul being really annoyed about something Sam said to him but I can't remember what it was. Paul went off really angry and a few seconds later Sam went after him. I think I heard growling but I can't be sure. Anyway what did Renee have to say? Did I get a mention?"

"Yes, I said you were OK. I think Dr Cullen made an impression."

"Yeah he tends to make an impression on every female he meets, the nurses were devastated when they met his wife, she's something too. They look like a TV family, all immaculate and beautiful."

I had to agree he was right about that.

"Edward Cullen is in my Science class and English, he's a bit odd."

"Odd?"

"Well he didn't speak and I got the distinct impression he didn't like me."

"I think that was probably first day nerves Bella. You wait and see, he'll probably chat away next time he sees you."

Well he didn't because he was missing the rest of the week and the following one.