I wake up the next morning to an empty house. I'm not all that surprised, but a little disappointed. I haven't seen my father in about 24 hours. He leaves before I wake up and gets back by the time I'm already asleep.
Velma jumps up on my lap and nudges my face, her way of saying 'good morning.' I scratch her behind the ear and her purring gets louder.
"Morning, Velmster," I say. She meows at me and I scratch her under her chin.
I make my way down to the kitchen fueled by an intense craving for a chocolate chip waffle and a huge cup of coffee. I immediately go to the freezer and pull out two waffles and then proceed to put them in the toaster. I go to brew a cup of coffee but stop in confusion when I see a note taped to the coffee pot.
Bells,
We're having company for dinner tonight. I told Mayor Connell that I would get together with the Cullen's to discuss the kid's safety. I left money for you in the jar. Make something good.
Love you.
Charlie.
I can't help but smile at the sentiment before I start to freak out. The Cullen family is coming here for dinner and I have to cook them something. Yeah, I can cook better than the best cooks in Forks, but that really isn't saying anything.
So that means I also have to clean the house. I look at the disheveled state of the kitchen and think about the disaster that is the living room and groan.
It was going to be a long fucking day.
After quickly shoveling down my waffles and putting my coffee in a to-go mug, I run upstairs and slip on a pair of faded skinny jeans, a band t-shirt, and my favorite black boots. I grab the money out of the jar that's in the bathroom-my dad doesn't like leaving money in obvious places-and run a brush through my hair.
My hair!
I run a hand through my now shoulder length hair and find myself extremely impressed with how decent it looks. I expected it to be completely uneven and disgusting, but besides a few strands that are clearly longer than the rest, it isn't bad at all.
I quickly cut those strands before I run downstairs and throw on my jacket. I scoop up my coffee mug, my cell, and my backpack before I rush out to my truck. I yank the keys out of my backpack and start the engine. As I crank the heat, I check the time and see that I still have 20 minutes to get to school.
I arrive at good ol' Forks High about 10 minutes later and pull into my normal parking spot. I can see Jasper waiting for me at the front doors of the school as I step out of the cab. I take a long sip of my warm coffee before I haul my backpack onto my back and begin walking over to the entrance.
"Good morning, Sunshine!" Jasper yells annoyingly.
"Don't call me Sunshine. It's weird," I say as I hand him my mug of coffee.
He rolls his eyes at me as he takes a sip of my coffee before he takes a moment to take in my appearance.
He practically chokes.
"Holy shit! What did you do?" he asks as he grabs a short strand of my hair.
I shrug and pull away. "Does it look bad?" I ask as I grab my mug back from him.
He shakes his head fervently. "No. I'm just surprised. I mean you've always had long hair. It's really different from what I'm used to. Who did it?" he asks as we begin to walk to our lockers.
"Uh…me," I say.
He raises his eyebrows at me. "Hmmm…not bad."
I shove him playfully. "Like you could do any better," I challenge him.
"You could always let me try. Your hair wouldn't look that bad in a pixie cut," he says with a sarcastic smile.
"Oh hey, I have a present for you," I say. I pretend to dig around in my pocket and then pull my hand out, giving him the finger.
"That was original."
I quickly open my locker and shove my backpack inside before I grab the books I'll need until my free period.
Jasper waves a goodbye at me before taking off to his first class.
I speed walk to my first class, knowing that if I don't, I'll lose my spot in the back. I hate sitting in the front, especially with this woman.
She spits when she talks.
I enter the classroom before most of the class does and get my spot in the back. I throw my backpack down on the floor next to my desk before I plop down in my seat. I take a long sip of my coffee before I reach down and grab a book out of my backpack.
I get so lost in my book that I'm startled when I hear someone throw their backpack on the ground next to me. My head snaps up and my eyes meet with those of Edward Cullen, who is smiling down at me.
"Hi there," he says as he sits in the desk closest to me.
"Since when are you in this class?" I blurt out. I immediately realize how rude I am being. "I mean, you weren't in here yesterday."
He smiles at me again. "I had to go to the office and work some things out before I could go to class. But I'll be here every day now." He grins his award-winning grin before he pulls out the books we need for class.
I shrug and go back to reading my book.
"I'm Edward Cullen," he says, drawing my attention away from the novel in front of me yet again.
I nod. "I think we both know I already knew that," I say sarcastically. "And I'm pretty sure you already know who I am. I'm sure Lauren and her cronies have said plenty about me."
He leans back in his seat with an amused smirk. "Well they did talk about you, but I highly doubt your name is 'Smelly Belly' or 'Buddha Bella.'"
My face flushes immediately and I glare at him. "Don't call me that. Ever. My name is Bella Swan."
He nods. "Oh, so will I be attending dinner at your house tonight?" Edward asks.
"Yes."
He smiles again, but his eyes literally look like they're smoldering. My stomach flips and it makes me angry. "I am looking forward to it," he says.
"Class! Pull out your books and go to page 546 and answer all the questions on the worksheet I'm about to hand out with the person sitting next to you." Mrs. Norton said. She was probably the oldest and scariest teacher at this school, but she could teach you Jane Austen like no one's business.
Probably because she was around when Austen first wrote her novels.
I turn to Edward and find him already staring at me. "Shall we begin?" he asks when the kid next to him hands us the worksheet.
I nod and open my book. "Let's get this over with."