"Bella I haven't a clue, they started talking to me, it's not like I went to them" I moaned as we drove to school, it had been a week since Emmett and Alice had spoken to me in the cafeteria, Bella wanted to know everything and even after I explained everything she just couldn't understand why they spoke to me when Edward was being so hot and cold to her,
"and this date to the dance?" Bella asked again, I sighed,
"Bella I told you, I haven't got one I said it when I panicked, I haven't got a date" I explained as I saw the high school in the distance,
"so your not going with Emmett?" she asked me again, I groaned,
"Bells, please listen, I. am. Not. Going. To. The. Dance. With. Emmett Cullen" I said trying not to snap at her, she nodded but still looked like she didn't believe me,
"he hasn't even spoke to me since that day, anyway" I said trying not to sound deflated about it, ten days.
That's how long it had been since that day, Emmett always smiled when he saw me but nothing else, and it was infuriating me to no end,
"someone's annoyed about that" Bella joked as she pulled into the parking lot and turned the engine off, I spun my head round,
"oh bite me Isabella" I snapped and quickly got out ignoring the protests she was trying to say, I walked up the steps and into the school, I knew I was harsh, but he was infuriating me to no end, why the hot and cold? What was with their eyes? What was their secret?
I made my way to English in a daze, still trying to figure everything out in my head, I didn't even realize when I first walked in that class had already started.
"Thank you for joining us, Miss Swan," Mr. Mason said in a disparaging tone.
I blushed and hurried to my seat hearing a few sniggers from everyone in the class, I quickly got my book out and started jotting some notes down.
It wasn't till class ended that I realized Mike wasn't sitting in his usual seat next to me, and was sat at the front of the class, I felt a little twinge of guilt, he had been a little off with me since the whole dance proposal day, but he and Eric both met me at the door as usual, so I figured maybe I was over reacting. Mike seemed to become more himself as we walked, gaining enthusiasm as he talked about the weather report for this weekend. The rain was supposed to take a minor break, and so maybe his beach trip would be possible. I tried to sound eager but it was hard, rain or no rain, it would still only be in the high forties, if we were lucky, not exactly ideal beach weather.
The rest of the morning passed in a blur. I was too wrapped up in my own thoughts about the Cullens, their ever changing coloured eyes, the strength of Edward stopping the van, the coldness of their skin, I tried to convince myself I was over reacting and imaging things as that seemed more probable than anything I had come up with so far.
I was still in a sour mood when I joined everyone in the cafeteria, and the subject that Jessica and Angela were talking about didn't lift my mood, Jessica babbled on and on about her dance plans, Angela had asked Eric and they were all going together and adamant I would be joining them, everyday they asked me about my 'date' with each day me avoiding the subject and brushing it off, the boys were convinced it was Emmett, Jessica said it couldn't be in a million years as he was too good for the likes of us, I found my eyes drifting to the Cullen table hoping to spot Emmett, even with my current mood I knew a smile would lift it, disappointment flooded through me as my eyes focused on his table. The
other four were there, but he and Emmett were absent.
"Edward Cullen is staring at you again," Jessica said to Bella, finally breaking through my distraction with this,
"I wonder why he's sitting alone today" Angela asked sounding different to Jessica, like she actually concerned, I saw Bellas head immediately snap up and
followed her gaze to see Edward, smiling crookedly, staring at her from an empty table across the cafeteria from where he usually sat. Once he'd caught
her eye, he raised one hand and motioned with his index finger for her to join him. As I watched her stare in disbelief, he winked, I almost felt sick, and if I had to be honest a little jealous it wasn't Emmett there for me,
"Does he mean you ?" Jessica asked with insulting astonishment in her voice, I mood dropped even further and the anger started to set in,
"Maybe he needs help with his Biology homework" Bella muttered
"but why you?" Jessica almost sneered, I felt the words coming before I could stop them,
"oh Jessica, stop being a brat! Get over it he doesn't want you, Bella go" I snapped but softened my tone at the end giving her a little smile, I wasn't stupid I knew she was just obsessed with Edward as I was with Emmett, even maybe a little more,
"Um, I'd better go see what he wants" Bella muttered and quickly walked over there
Jessica was staring after her all the way,
"I'm not jealous" she stated folding her arms, course you're not, I thought, I shook my head and went back to pushing my salad round the tray in front of me,
"are you okay?" Angela whispered to me, I gave her a little smile,
"sorry, I didn't sleep much, I'm just feeling off it today" I said in sort of an apology for my behaviour, thought-out lunch I kept glancing over to Bella to make sure she was okay, it wasn't I didn't trust Edward, I just didn't want Bella getting hurt.
I noticed everyone leaving and I was torn between leaving Bella and Edward and walking to biology without her, but just then I saw her jump to her feet, I concentrated and zoned in on them,
"We're going to be late" Bella's voice said, I almost wanted to put my head in my hands, why was she such a goody two shoes,
"I'm not going to class today," Edward said standing up too,
"Why not?" Bella enquired,
"It's healthy to ditch class now and then, but you go your sister is waiting" He smiled and looked at, his eyes not as cruel as they normally are but still kind of guarded,
"I'll see you later, then" Bella muttered and walked over to me, we walked out of the door In silence, I saw her give one last glance back confirming that he hadn't moved a centimetre.
As we quickly walked to class, my head was spinning as Bella explained the conversation, So few questions had been answered but that was nothing in comparison to how many new questions I now had.
When we arrived in class, Mr Banner wasn't in the room yet when I arrived, we settled quickly into our seats, I glanced and noticed that both Mike and Angela were staring at Bella, Mike looked resentful but Angela looked surprised, and slightly awed.
Mr. Banner came in the room then, calling the class to order. He was juggling a few
small cardboard boxes in his arms. He put them down on Mike's table, telling him to start passing them around the class.
"Okay, guys, I want you all to take one piece from each box," he said as he produced a pair of rubber gloves from the pocket of his lab jacket and pulled them on. The sharp sound as the gloves snapped into place against his wrists seemed ominous to me. "The first should be an indicator card," he went on, grabbing a white card with four squares marked on it and displaying it. "The second is a four-pronged applicator" he held up something that looked like a nearly toothless hair pick "— and the third is a sterile micro lancet" He held up a small piece of blue plastic and split it open. The barb was invisible from this distance, but my stomach flipped. Blood testing, that was one thing I couldn't stand, I hated the sight of blood.
"I'll be coming around with a dropper of water to prepare your cards, so please don't start until I get to you." He began at Mike's table again, carefully putting one drop of water in each of the four squares. "Then I want you to carefully prick your finger with the lancet…" He grabbed Mike's hand and jabbed the spike into the tip of Mike's middle finger.
"Put a small drop of blood on each of the prongs." He demonstrated, squeezing Mike's finger till the blood flowed,
"And then apply it to the card," he finished, holding up the dripping red card for us to see. I closed my eyes, trying to think of anything else but the blood I had just seen,
"The Red Cross is having a blood drive in Port Angeles next weekend, so I thought you should all know your blood type." He sounded proud of himself. "Those of you who aren't eighteen yet will need a parent's permission but no fear I have slips at my desk" He continued through the room with his water drops. I put my cheek against the cool black tabletop and tried to hold on to my consciousness. All around me I could hear squeals, complaints, and giggles as my classmates skewered their fingers. I breathed slowly in and out through my mouth.
"Liliana? are you all right?" Mr. Banner asked. His voice was close to my head, and it
sounded alarmed.
"I already know my blood type, Mr. Banner," I said in a weak voice. I was afraid to
raise my head.
"Are you feeling faint?" he asked in concern,
"Yes she is sir, she hates the sight of blood" Bella muttered, internally kicking myself having to have Bella answer for me,
"Can someone take Lilians to the nurse, please?" Mr Banner called.
I didn't have to look up to know that it would be Mike who volunteered, Bella offered but Mr Banner chose Mike, the world hates me.
"Can you walk?" Mr. Banner asked,
"Yes," I whispered, please Just let me get out of here, I thought, I'll crawl if I really have to.
Mike seemed eager as he put his arm around my waist and pulled my arm over his
shoulder. I leaned against him heavily on the way out of the classroom, I wanted nothing less for him to take him arm off me, but I didn't trust myself to be able to stand alone,
Mike towed me slowly across campus. When we were around the edge of the cafeteria, out of sight of building in case Mr. Banner was watching, I stopped.
"Just let me sit for a minute, please?" I begged Mike, he helped me sit on the edge of the sidewalk,
"And whatever you do, keep your hand in your pocket," I warned. I was still so dizzy. I put my head into my hands and closed my eyes. That seemed to help a little.
"Wow, you're green, Liliana" Mike said nervously, thanks a lot I thought,
"Lil?" a different voice called from the distance, No! Please let me be imagining that horribly familiar voice, I didn't want to have to face him, especially with me being like this,
"What's wrong with her? is she hurt?" His voice was closer now, and he sounded upset and slightly angry, I wasn't imagining it. I squeezed my eyes shut, hoping to die. Or, at the very least, not to throw up.
"I think she's going to faint. I don't know what happened, she didn't even stick her finger" Mike stuttered clearly scared,
"Lil?" Emmett's voice was right beside me,
"Can you hear me?" Emmett's voice said as I felt his cold fingers touch my shoulder,
"No please just go away" I begged, I heard him chuckle,
"I was taking her to the nurse, but she wouldn't go any farther" Mike explained in a defensive tone, would they both just go away,
"I'll take her, You can go back to class" Emmett said, I could hear the smile still in his voice
"No, I'm supposed to do it" Mike protested almost like a child, suddenly the sidewalk disappeared from beneath me. My eyes flew open in shock Emmett had scooped me up in his arms, as easily as if I weighed ten pounds instead of a hundred and ten.
"Put me down!" I demanded in feeble voice, He was walking before I was finished talking.
"Hey!" Mike called, already ten paces behind us
Emmett ignored him,
"You look awful" he told me, grinning.
"Put me back on the sidewalk," I moaned. The rocking movement of his walk was not
helping. He held me away from his body, gingerly, supporting all my weight with just his arms, it didn't seem to bother him, I suppose all his working out helped,
"So you faint at the sight of blood?" he asked, this seemed to entertain him.
I didn't answer. I closed my eyes again and fought the nausea with all my strength,
clamping my lips together.
"And not even your own blood" Emmett continued, enjoying himself. I don't know how he opened the door while carrying me, but it was suddenly warm, so I
knew we were inside.
"Oh my" I heard a female voice gasp.
"She fainted in Biology" Emmett explained, I opened my eyes. I was in the office, and Emmett was striding past the front counter toward the nurse's door, Ms Cope, the redheaded front office receptionist, ran ahead of him to hold it open. The grandmotherly nurse looked up from a novel, astonished, as Emmett swung me into the room and placed me gently on the crackly paper that covered the brown vinyl mattress on the one cot. Then he moved to stand against the wall as far across the narrow room as possible. His eyes staring at me the whole time,
"She's just a little faint, They're blood typing in Biology" Emmett reassured the startled nurse
The nurse nodded and walked over to the sink,
"There's always one" she muttered, Emmett tried to muffled a snicker but it didn't work I tried to scowl at him,
"Just lie down for a minute, honey, it'll pass" the nurse said handing me a cold paper towel,
"I know, thanks" I replied taking the towel, the nausea was already fading.
"Does this happen a lot?" she asked,
"Sometimes" I admitted, Emmett coughed to hide another laugh.
"You can go back to class now" she told him in a disapproving tone,
"I'm supposed to stay with her" He said this with such assured authority that even
though she pursed her lips, the nurse didn't argue it further.
"I'll go get you some ice for your forehead, dear," she said to me, and then bustled out of the room.
"You scared me for a minute there" Emmett admitted after a pause. His tone made it sound like he was confessing a humiliating weakness,
"I thought Newton was dragging your dead body off to bury it in the woods" Emmett commented,
"Haha very funny" I still had my eyes closed, but I was feeling more normal every minute.
"Honestly Lil I've seen corpses with better colour. I was concerned that I might have to avenge your murder" Emmett said, I couldn't decide if he was being serious or joking,
"Poor Mike, I'll bet he's mad" I commented,
"He absolutely loathes me" Emmett said cheerfully.
"You can't know that" I argued, but then I wondered suddenly if he could.
"I saw his face, I could tell" Emmett said grinning at me,
"How did you see me? What were you doing out of class?" I was almost fine now, though the queasiness would probably pass faster if I'd eaten something for lunch. On the other hand, maybe it was lucky my stomach was empty.
"I was in my car, listening to a CD" Such a normal response, it surprised me.
I heard the door and opened my eyes to see the nurse with a cold compress in her hand.
"Here you go, dear" She laid it across my forehead. "You're looking better," she added.
"I think I'm fine," I said, sitting up, just a little ringing in my ears, no spinning. The
mint green walls stayed where they should.
I could see she was about to make me lie back down, but the door opened just then, and Ms. Cope stuck her head in.
"We've got another one" she warned the nurse,
I hopped down to free up the cot for the next invalid,
I handed the compress back to the nurse. "Here, I don't need this."
And then Mike staggered through the door, now supporting a sallow-looking Lee
Stephens, another boy in our Biology class. Emmett and I drew back against the wall to give them room.
"Oh no" Emmett muttered. "Go out to the office, Lil" I looked up at him, bewildered.
"Trust me, just go" Emmett said quickly but quietly, I spun and caught the door before it closed, darting out of the infirmary. I could feel Emmett right behind me.
"You actually listened to me" He was stunned,
"I smelled the blood," I said, wrinkling my nose. Lee wasn't sick from watching other
people, like me, Emmett looked confused,
"People can't smell blood" he contradicted.
"Well, I can, both me and Bella, that's what makes me sick. It smells like rust… and salt" I explained, he was staring at me with an unfathomable expression.
"What?" I asked self-conscious all of a sudden,
"It's nothing" Emmett muttered, Mike came through the door then, glancing from me to Emmett. The look he gave Emmett confirmed what Emmett had said about loathing. He looked back at me, his eyes glum.
"You look better" Mike accused me,
"Just keep your hand in your pocket" I warned him again.
"It's not bleeding anymore," he muttered. "Are you going back to class?"
"Are you kidding? I'd just have to turn around and come back" I said quickly, was he that stupid, did he not see me in class before?
"Yeah, I guess… So are you going this weekend? To the beach?" While he spoke, he
flashed another glare toward Emmett, who was standing against the cluttered counter, motionless as a sculpture, staring off into space.
I tried to sound as friendly as possible. "Sure, I said I was in as long as Bella is" I replied
"she is, we're meeting at my dad's store, at ten." His eyes flickered to Emmett again,
wondering if he was giving out too much information. His body language made it clear that it wasn't an open invitation.
"I'll be there with Bella then" I promised,
"I'll see you in Gym, then," he said, moving uncertainly toward the door.
"See you" I replied. He looked at me once more, his round face slightly pouting.
"Gym," I groaned,
"I can take care of that." I hadn't noticed Emmett moving to my side, but he spoke now in my ear,
"Go sit down and look pale," he muttered, that wasn't a challenge; I was always pale, and my recent swoon had left a light sheen of sweat on my face. I sat in one of the creaky folding chairs and rested my head against the wall with my eyes closed. Fainting spells always exhausted me. I heard Emmett speaking softly at the counter.
"Ms. Cope?" his angel like voice said,
"Yes?" I hadn't heard her return to her desk.
"Liliana has Gym next hour, and I don't think she feels well enough. Actually, I was
thinking I should take her home now. Do you think you could excuse her from class?"
His voice was like melting honey. I could imagine how much more overwhelming his
eyes would be.
"Do you need to be excused, too, Emmett?" Ms. Cope fluttered. Why couldn't I do that?
"No, I have Mrs. Goff, she won't mind" Emmett said,
"Okay, it's all taken care of. You feel better soon Liliana" she called to me. I nodded weakly, hamming it up just a bit.
"Can you walk, or do you want me to carry you again?" With his back to the
receptionist, his expression became sarcastic,
"I'll walk" I responded, I stood carefully, and I was still fine. He held the door for me, his smile polite but his eyes mocking. I walked out into the cold, fine mist that had just begun to fall. It felt nice as it washed my face clean of the sticky perspiration.
"Thanks, It's almost worth getting sick to miss Gym" I said as he followed me out.
"Anytime" He was staring straight forward, squinting into the rain,
"So are you going? This Saturday, I mean?" I was hoping he would, though it seemed
unlikely. I couldn't picture him loading up to carpool with the rest of the kids from
school, it was like he didn't belong in the same world, but just hoping that he might gave me the first twinge of enthusiasm I'd felt for the outing.
"Where are you all going, exactly?" He was still looking ahead, expressionless.
"Down to La Push, to First Beach." I studied his face, trying to read it. His eyes seemed
to narrow infinitesimally.
He glanced down at me from the corner of his eye, smiling wryly. "I really don't think I
was invited" Emmett said, I sighed,
"I just invited you" I stated
"Let's you and I not push poor Mike any further this week. We don't want him to snap" His eyes danced, he was enjoying the idea more than he should.
"Mike-schmike" I muttered, preoccupied by the way he'd said "you and I, I liked it more than I should.
We were near the parking lot now. I veered left, toward our truck when something caught my jacket, yanking me back.
"Where do you think you're going?" he asked, outraged. He was gripping a fistful of my jacket in one hand. I was confused,
"I'm going home" I said the confusion showing in my voice,
"Didn't you hear me promise to take you safely home? Do you think I'm going to let
you drive in your condition? Plus I've never seen you drive" His voice was still indignant.
"What condition? And what about the truck?" I complained,
"are you forgetting your twin?" He was towing me toward his car now, pulling
me by my jacket. It was all I could do to keep from falling backward. He'd probably just drag me along anyway if I did.
"Let go!" I insisted, He ignored me, I staggered along sideways across the wet sidewalk until we reached a red Jeep, Then he finally freed me, I stumbled against the passenger door.
"You are so pushy" I grumbled
"It's open" was all he responded. He got in the driver's side.
"I am perfectly capable of driving myself home!" I stood by the jeep, fuming. It was
raining harder now, and I'd never put my hood up, so my hair was starting to drip down my back.
He lowered the automatic window and leaned toward me across the seat. "Get in,
Lil" he said firmly, I didn't answer. I was mentally calculating my chances of reaching the truck before he could catch me. I had to admit, they weren't good.
"I'll just drag you back" he threatened, guessing my plan.
I tried to maintain what dignity I could as I got into the jeep.
"This is completely unnecessary," I said stiffly,
He didn't answer, he fiddled with the controls, turning the heater up and the music
down. As he pulled out of the parking lot, I was preparing to give him the silent treatment, my face in full pout mode, but then I remembered he was trying to be nice, the car moved so steadily, so evenly, though, I didn't feel the speed. Only the town flashing by gave it away.
"What's your mother like?" he asked me suddenly. I glanced over to see him studying me with curious eyes,
"She looks a lot like me actually, but she's prettier," I said, he raised his eyebrows,
"I have too much of my dad's looks in me. She's more outgoing than I am, and braver, She's irresponsible and slightly eccentric, and she's a very unpredictable cook" I stopped talking, worried I had said too much,
"How old are you, Lil?" His voice sounded frustrated for some reason I couldn't
imagine. He'd stopped the car, and I realized we were at my house already. The rain
was so heavy that I could barely see the house at all. It was like the car was submerged under a river.
"I'm seventeen" I responded, a little confused.
"You don't seem seventeen" His tone was reproachful, it made me laugh.
"What?" he asked, curious again.
"My mom always says I was born thirty-five years old and that I get more middle-aged every year, I guess it comes with having to care for Bella and my mom, You don't seem much like a senior in high school yourself," I said smiling a bit, He made a face and changed the subject,
"So why did your mother marry Phil?"
I was surprised he knew his the name, I guess Edward must have told him, it took me a moment to answer.
"My mother… she's very young for her age. I think Phil makes her feel even younger.
At any rate, she's crazy about him." I shook my head. The attraction was a mystery to me,
"Do you approve?" he asked.
"Does it matter? I want her to be happy… and he is who she wants" I said honestly,
"That's very generous… I wonder," he mused looking at me intently,
"What?" I asked curiously,
"Would she extend the same courtesy to you, do you think? No matter who your choice was?" He was suddenly intent, his eyes searching mine, I thought for a moment,
"I-I think so, But she's the parent, after all. It's a little bit different" I said smiling,
"No one too scary then," he teased, I grinned in response.
"What do you mean by scary? Multiple facial piercings and extensive tattoos?" I asked joking,
"That's one definition, I suppose" he mused,
"What's your definition?" I asked, But he ignored my question and asked me another. "Do you think that I could be scary?" He raised one eyebrow, and the faint trace of a smile lightened his face.
I thought for a moment, wondering whether the truth or a lie would go over better. I
decided to go with the truth.
"Hmmm… I think you could be, if you wanted to" I said honestly,
"Are you frightened of me now?" The smile vanished, and his heavenly face was
suddenly serious.
"No" I answered quickly. The smile returned,
"So, now are you going to tell me about your family? It's got to be a much more interesting story than mine" I said grinning at him, He was instantly cautious.
"What do you want to know?" he asked, I decided to play it safe,
"The Cullens adopted you?" I verified.
"Yes" was he simply answer, I hesitated for a moment
"What happened to your parents? If you don't mind me asking" I gently asked
"They died many years ago" His tone was matter-of-fact.
"I'm sorry," I mumbled feeling quite stupid,
"I don't really remember them that clearly. Carlisle and Esme have been my parents for a long time now" Emmett said softly, I smiled,
"And you love them." It wasn't a question. It was obvious in the way he spoke of them.
"Yes I couldn't imagine two better people" He smiled while talking
"You're very lucky" I smiled, wanting to reach for his hand but stopping myself,
"I know I am" he said looking directly into my eyes, the honey coloured eyes almost sending me into a hypnotic state. He glanced at the clock on the dashboard,
"My brothers and sister, and Jasper and Rosalie for that matter, are going to be quite
upset if they have to stand in the rain waiting for me" Emmett said almost with a tone of sadness,
"Oh, sorry, I guess you have to go." I didn't want to get out of the car, I didn't want to leave him,
"Have fun at the beach… good weather for sunbathing." He glanced out at the sheeting rain, I laughed a little,
"Won't I see you tomorrow?" I asked almost sad,
"No. Edward and I are starting the weekend early" he said,
"What are you going to do?" A friend could ask that, right? I hoped the disappointment wasn't too apparent in my voice.
"We're going to be hiking in the Goat Rocks Wilderness, just south of Rainier."
I remembered Charlie had said the Cullens went camping frequently.
"Oh, well, have fun." I tried to sound enthusiastic. I don't think I fooled him, though. A smile was playing around the edges of his lips.
"Will you do something for me this weekend?" He turned to look me straight in the face, utilizing the full power of his burning gold eyes.
"anything" I said and gave a little smile,
"Don't be offended, but you seem to be one of those people who just attract accidents like a magnet. So… try not to fall into the ocean or get run over or anything, all right?" He smiled crookedly, I laughed,
"I'll see what I can do, although it will probably be saving Bella, have a good weekend Em" I said as I jumped out into the rain, coming up with the nickname for him, I walked up the path and turned to see he was still smiling as he drove away.
