The Masen clan moved to Forks right before the beginning of the school year. Over a single weekend, they were moved in and settled into the vicinity. On the wind of their move, whispers followed swiftly. Their unusual story fascinated the entire town. Hardly anyone could be found without an opinion on the matter.
Carlisle Masen – the father figure of the family – was a renowned surgeon who took the vacant spot at our small hospital because his wife, Esme Masen, wanted to live away from the city's bad influences for their teenage children. That is, adopted teenage children.
According to my mother, who ran into the Mrs. Masen at the drug store and felt the need to make a new friend, she and her husband were only about thirty years old, though you couldn't tell by looking at them, they've aged so well. The teenagers were all originally foster kids that Carlisle and Esme had adopted. The twins, Rosalie and Jasper Whitlock, were Esme's niece and nephew, either through her sister or her brother. Mom couldn't remember which. No one knew what happened to their parents and Mrs. Masen hadn't said anything herself. The other three Masens were cousins, I think. Or maybe they were just random foster children who happened to seem similar in their looks. Whatever the relation, they all had changed their last names to fit their new family.
I normally tried to not let my mind dwell on the Masens like this. They didn't go out of their way to interact with other students and most people ignored them in turn. Alice was the only one that I'd had an actual conversation with, though it was very brief.
Her family had only been here about a month when I decided that someone should try to make friends with them. Everyone else tended to avoid them due to their… oddness. They were all strikingly beautiful. Terribly unfair. Like Alice, they were all covered in sheet white, flawless skin. Not a single freckle, pimple, or scar marred their looks. Physically, though, they were all different. Alice was tiny, pixie-like. Her adopted sister, Rosalie was blonde, thin, and tall, with timeless looks that held through no matter how beauty trends changed. Each boy was bigger, more muscular than the previous.
When I'd finally worked up the courage, rehearsing in my head approximately what I would say over and over again, I caught Alice after English on a warm yet cloudy September morning. The upper classmen were going to have a bonfire at First Beach to celebrate the new semester and say goodbye to the summer. No one had mentioned inviting the Masens, which I thought was ridiculous.
"Hey, Alice, right?" I had to grab her wrist before she could stand up out of her desk. If I hadn't, she would have been out of the classroom in a flash.
At first she didn't reply to me. Her dark eyes stared down where my fingers clung to her. Even through her sweater, the iciness of her arm stung. My hand felt like I was holding on to a fist full of snow. It was too warm outside for anyone to be that chilly. Maybe she had bad circulation. One by one, I relaxed my fingers and let go of her, the chill still pulsing my palm.
"I'm Sloane," I greeted, losing a little bit of my courage.
She nodded, smiling openly. "It's nice to meet you, Sloane."
The invitation stopped dead on my lips. It shouldn't be this hard to simply let her know that she and her family should come by the beach party. We stood there awkwardly in the aisle between the now empty desks. "How are you liking Forks?"
Her smile faltered for a fraction of a second. I certainly would have missed it if I hadn't been paying close attention, trying to gauge her reaction to my forwardness.
"It feels like home," Alice replied. There was a sense of melancholy hidden in her voice. It made me sad for her.
I chewed on the inside of my cheek. "That's good." I didn't know how else to respond. It would have been overstepping to ask for her to elaborate. Finally, though, my brain caught up with the true mission of this conversation. "I just wanted, there's a party tomorrow up in La Push and I thought you guys might want to join us. You know, get to know your classmates? A majority of the juniors and seniors are going to be there."
"Thank you. I'll talk to my siblings and see if they want to go." She tilted her head, studying me with her strange golden eyes. "I like you, Sloane." And with that interesting send off, she floated out into the hallway.
I had hoped that the odd compliment meant the five of them would be coming to the bonfire, but they never showed. Maybe it was her older siblings; they didn't seem interested in getting to know anyone. After that conversation, Alice would greet me in the halls with a nod and a smile. Her family, however, pretended that I – as well as almost everyone else in the student body– didn't exist. It didn't matter. Alice at least liked me.
None of the other Masens were in my classes for the rest of the morning, so I was able to make it through my other classes with only the occasional distraction of the antisocial siblings interrupting my thoughts when I let my mind wander too far off.
Then lunch came.
Abby met me halfway between buildings three and four after French and we hurried through the cold to the cafeteria. Tiny beads of sweat still dotted her forehead from an active hour of volleyball in Gym. She wiped them away with the back of her hand as we joined the line for food. It moved slowly, snail-like as everyone shuffled along, making my stomach rumble in impatience. I stuck with a previously prepared Caesar salad and water while Abby got a slice of pizza and a coke.
"You don't have to do that, you know," she whispered, her eyes looking pointedly at my tray.
I ignored her. I wasn't in the mood for a body self-esteem discussion. Like all teenage girls, I had my good days and bad days, today merely tipping closer to bad. We paid for our food and crossed the room to our usual table. Jackson was already there, chowing down on a double decker sandwich.
"Hey, Jackson," Abby greeted shyly.
"Sup," he nodded back. Though it was only a single word, I could see the shine in his eyes. I really wished those two would get on with it and date. At first, their mutual yet unrealized crush on each other was cute to watch from the sidelines, but it quickly became frustrating. If they didn't do something about it soon, I was going to be forced to intervene.
"Can you believe Rosner wants us to write our own analysis of the next three chapters on top of the essay?" Jackson complained.
Abby made a face, agreeing. "We're going to go over it in class anyway. I don't get why he's making us do that."
"He wants to make sure that everyone's actually reading it," I defended, turning to look at her. That was a mistake.
Now directly in my line of sight were the Masens. Like every other ordinary day, they were sitting at one of the small round tables in the far corner, away from everyone else. I tried to tear my focus away from them, but the rare in class interaction with Alice was stuck in my head, along with her statuesque stillness.
"If they aren't doing the work then that's their problem," Jackson scorned between bites.
I lost track of the conversation. All five of the new, peculiar students were sitting at their typical pattern around the table, staring off in different directions without looking at anything in particular. While there was plenty of space around the table, two pairs among the group sat significantly close.
That was what really drove the gossip when they first arrived here at Forks High School. It was quickly apparent that the blonde twins, Rosalie and Jasper, were with Emmett, the tallest and most muscular out of the boys, and Alice respectively. The situation was a bit weird, even if they weren't actually related. But they weren't overtly public about their relationships, which made the topic less interesting to the student populace over time and everyone moved on. Except, unfortunately, me. It was just too… fascinating, the way they interacted. Like I said, they weren't all over each other; it was all subtle. The looks. The smiles. The quick skin-to-skin contact. Watching them was like watching Jane Austen's couples court each other in real life.
Then there was Edward.
His otherworldly pale face wasn't what kept people away from him. It was the facial expression he constantly wore. He constantly wore features that seamlessly combined disgust, indifference, and loathing. You could always pick out the kids who didn't want to be here, but Edward out did them all. While his family seemed unaffected by their change in environment, he seemed to want nothing more than to get as far away from Forks as possible. Even with the distance of where I was sitting, I could see all the tension in his body that never relaxed.
What could have made him so angry? So resentful?
I mean, Alice was happy. The rest at least looked content. I had a sudden burning desire to know exactly what event in his past occurred that twisted his features so fiercely.
"Hello? Earth to Sloane?"
Shaking out of my stare, I turned to Abby, who'd elbowed me in the ribs. I absentmindedly rubbed at the sore spot.
"What?"
"You're doing it again," she snorted.
Heated blush crept up to my cheeks. I tried to hide one side with my hand, warming the palm that had been clinging to my unopened water bottle. "Oh. Sorry."
Jackson sighed, suppressing a laugh. I hadn't even noticed that Tanner and Lynn had joined us at the table.
"So, is your staring at a certain someone the reason you struggled so much in physics last week?" Lynn teased.
I frowned at her. "No. It's because physics is ridiculously complicated and half of the time makes no sense. Especially when it comes to water pressure." Which was true. Mostly.
"Better watch out today, then," Tanner snickered, his brown eyes shimmering with mockery. Of course he had no trouble in physics; he was going to be an engineer and found all forms of science relatively easy. He had helped me with a few assignments, but I had put an end to those tutoring sessions for the sake of our friendship. "Today's the day Shetler makes his big announcement."
We all exchanged looks. Last Friday, Mr. Shetler had warned us of a big announcement regarding an assignment that was to be worth a large portion of our grade. He probably would have told us last Friday, except he wanted to relish in the building panic over the weekend.
"At least we know it's not a group project," Abby offered. The rest of us murmured in agreement.
Mr. Shetler was famous among the school for two reasons: his impatience for slow learners and his hatred of group projects. While the former could be frustrating when you couldn't grasp a certain concept or equation, the latter was a blessing, especially when other teachers loved to cram students together for an assignment. Having to put the fate of your grade in someone else's hands was too nerve-racking to even dwell on the idea.
"Speaking of which," Abby stood up, her tray in her hands, "we'd better get going. It's almost time for class."
Like synchronized swimming, the rest of us all stood up and put our trays on the shelf above the compost and recycling cans before following our tiny leader out the doors.
Outside, we sloshed through the melting ice on the sidewalk to the science building. With a grip too strong for someone her size, Abby pulled on my hood, allowing everyone else to pass us.
"So, are you going to have trouble concentrating in class today?" she raised an eyebrow at me, her voice barely above a whisper.
I knitted my own brow, my thoughts still on the upcoming period and the dreaded announcement awaiting us. "What are you talking about?"
"You were the one who told me to warn you when you got obsessive."
"I still don't–" I stopped, it dawning on me what my best friend was implying. "Oh, right."
Most of the time, my observation skills acted in a casual manner, catching the key characteristics of people that others didn't always pick up on. Like a favorite shirt that they wore more than the others, a gesture they made when they got excited, or subjects they were coy at avoiding. But the Masens were better concealers. Truly, the best. I failed to pick up on anything that everyone else couldn't already see. It drove me mad. I didn't care about strangers to this degree. But I needed something to grasp on to, something to satisfy the curiosity so I could move on with my life.
That obsessive need led to the staring Abby was bringing up now. I had asked her to rein me in if it got bad, to the point where I was tuning out everything else.
Physics was the only class I had with Edward, the biggest mystery of them all, which was exactly why Abby was cautioning me now. This was also my hardest class, so I was sure I could keep my focus in check, my face forward. Grades and passing were much more important than figuring out Edward Masen's favored pencil.
"Trust me," I assured her when we were almost to the building door. "He will be the furthest thing from my mind in there." All I had to do was concentrate on whatever torture Shetler had in store for us hall.
Satisfied, Abby nudged me with her shoulder as we entered the science building and stepped into the classroom.
I took my seat in the front row. The desk was strategically picked to eliminate any distractions that could take my focus away from the electronic board ahead of me. The biggest of all possible distractions was safely near the back of the room, completely obscure from my peripheral vision, never making a sound, never drawing attention.
Class didn't officially start for a few more minutes and Abby and Jackson were caught up in their own conversation, so I took out Mansfield Park from my bag and absorbed myself in Fanny Price's world. My brain barely acknowledged the bell. School bells didn't exist in the Regency Era. A throat being cleared in front of me finally pulled me back to the present. Mr. Shetler was standing over me, his eyes pointedly waiting for my proper attention. Turning red, I quickly closed the book and shoved it in the basket under the desk. Someone behind me snickered.
Satisfied, Mr. Shetler finally walked away. How could a man that short and skinny be so intimidating? He was like the adult version of the stereotypical nerd boy in really old movies; the one who got beat up by the jocks and had a crush on the shallow popular girl. In fiction, that kid grew up to be a Silicon Valley millionaire, basking in his success. In this reality, though, he was currently trying to explain the properties of buoyancy and why some objects could float in water when others couldn't to a bunch of small town teenagers who would forget the information as soon as they pressed "submit" on their final.
I took as detailed of notes that I could, paying attention to every word he said as he dived right into the day's lesson. Apparently, he was going to save his big announcement for the end of class. As the hour hand creeped closer and closer to the number two, almost everyone started to squirm and get restless. All were probably wishing that he would end the torment and deliver the ominous message.
At last, Mr. Shetler completed the last example and put his stylus down on the demonstration counter that separated him from us.
"Okay," he said with a slight frown. Shouldn't he be gleeful for whatever torture he was to bestow upon us? That wasn't very like him. "Time for what you've all been waiting for. I've decided there's not going to be a mid-term test."
Every student – save one – sat up straighter in their chair, cautiously enthusiastic about this new development, but also bracing themselves for the bad news that certainly had to be following.
"Instead," he continued, not acknowledging the change in the atmosphere, "you will be completing a project over the next several weeks that will consist of an essay, example problem sets, and a short presentation over your findings. And," his frown deepened, "you'll be doing this with a partner that I have already assigned."
There was an audible gasp. The murmuring started, no one really believing that this was the real announcement. Abby and I exchanged a stunned glance. This had never happened in the history of Shetler's teaching career here. The knowledge of no group projects in physics was passed down from class to class. For some, it was the only reason they took the class.
One look from Shetler silenced the room. He picked up a sheet of paper and began reading off names.
"Rod, you're with Tina."
Tina, a popular girl with a blonde pixie cut, rolled her eyes while self-professed bad boy Rod high fived his buddy.
"Anna, your partner is Jason."
Anna looked around for her partner, unsure of who the teacher was referring. Shy Jason waved sheepishly from across the room.
Like watching moss grow, Mr. Shetler slowly went down the list. Each time when my name wasn't called, I inched closer to the edge of my seat. As well as my own, my ears were straining for another name.
He hadn't been assigned yet either.
"Abby, with Lynn. Tanner, with Ryan. Donna, with Keith."
Come on! I urged in my head. Jackson was still left to be assigned a partner. I prayed that fate would be kind.
"Sloane, with Edward."
I nearly fell out of my seat. Swallowing heavy, I turned around to face the back of the room. Edward was staring at the ground blankly. Then his eyes flickered up and met my own, his usual glare of anger and annoyance intensified. Quickly, I spun bank to the front. I didn't even hear who Jackson was so luckily paired with. I slumped down in my chair.
Kill me now.
Mr. Shetler finished the list.
"Now, tonight when you're not doing your other homework, I want you to think about what you want to do the project over. The concept can consist of anything we've covered since the beginning of the school year. Tomorrow you'll get with your partner and choose between your ideas. Off and on over the next few weeks you'll have time during class to work, but I expect you to work on this together outside of school. I'll let you know when we're going to start presentations at a later date."
The bell rang, granting us a faux freedom.
"See you tomorrow," Shetler dismissed.
I scrambled up, shoving my note tablet into my bag, leaving the room with Abby in the river of hurried teenagers.
"Wo-ow," she shook her head as we walked down the hall. "Edward Masen. Good luck with that."
I sighed, still trying to process that this was truly happening. "It shouldn't be too bad. I just hope he doesn't make me do all the work." As we reached the outside of the building, I remembered my poor, defenseless novel still sitting under the desk. "Crap! I have to back. I forgot my book."
"You're going to be late for gym," Abby reminded me. If I ran – and didn't trip and fall – I could probably make it. We weren't too far from the class room, although the gym was across the courtyard.
"I'll be fine," I told her, already headed back inside.
Right when I was about to round the corner to enter the classroom, I heard an argument coming from inside. No one was shouting, but the voices easily echoed off the tall, hollow ceilings.
"Please, Mr. Shetler, I will do double the work you're requiring for this. Just let me do it alone." Edward's voice was calm, but very upset and frustrated. His look translating into sound.
"I'm sorry, Edward, but everyone is going to this assignment with their partner."
"Isn't there any–" he stopped. "I see. Thank you."
Footsteps warned me that he was coming. I scurried back around the corner and pushed myself up against the wall to try to be invisible. Edward walked straight ahead, ignoring the side exit and headed to the other end instead.
When the coast was clear, I went into the classroom. Mr. Shetler sighed when he saw me, gearing up for he thought was going to be another argument.
"Miss Summers–"
To spare us both, I swiftly grabbed what I wanted from under the desk. "Just forgot my book."
He sighed again, this time with relief. "When the bell rings, it goes in your bag."
"Yes, sir." I ran out of there, praying I made it to gym on time, my mind wheeling and angry as hell.