Chapter 10
He won't eat us...
Wednesday morning, I prepare to return to high school, ready to support the hawk-eyed eyes of my classmates, hungry for crisp information. I sigh realizing that coming in Edward's car won't help my peace of mind, far from it… I'm spreading my toast and I'm done eating one, when someone knocks on the door. . I grab the remaining toast, put on my shoes and a sleeve of my coat, and open the door. Edward stands in the doorway, dazzling as always, facing me, disheveled and half-dressed… Eowyn high class!
"Mmmmimmcomemmmmoneminoute" I mumble, the toast still in my mouth.
Pardon? He asks me, hilarious.
I'll be there in a minute, I repeat, removing the toast from my mouth. »
I hurry to finish putting on my coat and tying my shoes. He closes the door behind him, telling me that I don't have to hurry, that he can make up for lost time in the car.
" No ! Edward, no! You're not going to break the sound barrier, just for a bloody gym class... I retort in a dry tone... especially not for that...
Would you have a grudge against gymnastics?
No, she's the one against me! The gym is for coordinated people. You know, those who don't trip over their own feet!
I'm starting to understand why Alice told me I shouldn't miss this.
Are you going to spy on us? I ask suspiciously.
No need, he responds with his signature crooked smile. I'm in your class. »
My shock must reflect on my face because he assures me that he will protect me from the ugly basketball. I grab my bag, open the door and push Edward out. All while closing I say to him in fulmination:
"Remind me of going to a florist on the way home.
Want to buy flowers? he asks, interested, as I walk to his car and open the passenger door.
Not for me, it's for a funeral. »
He frowns and I complete my sentence as I get into the car:
"Your sister's." »
I slam the door. He returns in his turn, sneering, then starts the car. He turns to me:
"Speaking of flowers, I'm curious. What are your favorite Bellas?
Quite curious, indeed, I tease him. Well, I like blue or purple flowers, forget-me-nots, pansies, cornflowers… and even those rarer blue roses.
Do you like blue? Is it your favorite color?
Not really, I like all the color palette between light green and indigo especially. And you ?
The brunette recently, he said, looking at me. »
I blushed, understanding the double meaning. He then resumes his questioning:
"We talked about our favorite composers the other time. Do you listen to a lot of classical music?
I like all styles of music, it depends on my mood and my headaches.
Do you often have headaches? he worries.
I have had it very often, but less recently. »
It's true that upon reflection Bella didn't seem prone to migraines. I'm not going to complain about it.
"Anyway, the next time I have a headache, sticking to you will make me feel better, Mister Freeze," I said mischievously.
Gladly, he looks both embarrassed and happy.
Good ! Parlons de choses qui fâchent ! *» (*In French here)
He looked worried. I reassure him:
"It's an expression, Edward. It means that we have to get back to serious things.
Oh ! he said, relaxing. What do you want to talk about ?
The other high school kids are going to pester me with questions about why I'm coming with you. What do I answer them?
The truth ? he suggests.
They're going to ask me why you, and not Alice, came. I can't answer them, it's because I got closer to you, when you consoled me, when your harpy sister wanted to kill me.
I imagine it will be unconvincing indeed, he giggles. Well you can tell them we got closer through music.
Mmmm, I like your suggestion, I nod. Let's do that ! »
He parks in the school parking lot when a blue window appears:
"Secondary Quest: Convince Jessica that you are not dating Edward… Reward: Complicity with Jessica +1… Penalty: Complicity with Jessica -1… Developer Comment: Good luck! »
I think I'm hallucinating reading the last words. The creators of the game are really nuts. Luckily, with Edward by my side, no one dares approach me. That's not counting Jessica's boundless determination for gossip. As soon as she sees us, she runs in our direction and greets us:
"Hello Bella, Edward," she smirked at my mate. »
He responds to her greetings with a tight smile. Jessica's thoughts must not be very good. I decide to draw his attention to relieve him.
"What's up Jessica?"
I'm the one who should be asking you the question. Are you coming to high school together now?
I don't have a car right now Jessica, in case you forgot. Edward was kind enough to offer to pick me up while I see if it's fixable.
Ah, yes…that's…nice, she said with a smirk.
Alice would have done well, but she's finishing later today and that would have meant Bella having to wait for her in the cold for an hour, Edward then steps in, to help me. I then proposed, since we have the same schedules.
That way we can work on our piano pieces together, I complete.
Do you both play the piano? exclaims Jessica, surprised.
Yes, I answer. And since I couldn't bring my piano when I moved to Fork, the Cullens allow me to practice on theirs.
Oh ! I see… "
Jessica seems both disappointed and hopeful. A strange combination. The bell rings when I receive a quest validation notification… So I convinced her! With Jessica's skill at gossiping, the budding rumors about Edward and I may die down quicker than expected.
The Gym class was even more mortifying than in my imagination. I tripped over a girl I didn't know and knocked her down with me, my head landing in a place no woman would want to see a stranger's face. I got up tomato red seeing Edward trying to hold back a laugh on the other side of the field. I sulked the rest of the hour after apologizing for long minutes to the young girl, who looked at me strangely.
I find Alice in the next lesson. I sit down next to her and greet her with a strained smile:
"Hello Alice. We haven't seen each other this morning.
I told myself that our first contact today had to be as public as possible for the sake of my bodily integrity. »
I squinted.
"You saw and you didn't warn me, I accuse him, almost whistling.
I saw and thought to myself that I owed my brother a debt for not telling him about you on the first day and that you also owed one to me for the same reason. So I erased these debts with one stone, two shots.
Glad to see I don't owe you anything anymore...
Error, dear, she contradicts me. You have a meeting with my dad tomorrow night.
How so ?
Well, to be able to "take action" when the time comes! »
I blush scarlet.
"You spied on me!
Again, mistake Bella. I saw you in a vision that imposed itself on me, it was my brother who spied on you yesterday! »
I go from relieved to appalled. Don't tell me that stalker overheard the father/daughter conversation I had with Charlie yesterday!
"How are you Bella?" You're all pale, Alice worries.
I'm just wondering how your brother, who is what he is to the fairer sex, didn't run away from me lest I jump on him. Well, but do you remember what I said to my father!?
Yes and it was a very nice speech. It's almost as if you've been there before! »
Wow! Slippery terrain ! I have to pay attention. I don't know why, but I want Edward to figure out my secret first. It's just important to me, I really care about it.
"I had this conversation with my mother before, but she was the one who initiated it by asking me to come and see her in case I wanted to go further with a boy.
And at that time, you didn't ask for the pill, completes Alice.
At that time I was nine years old!
Wow ! Your mother got there early!
And I didn't think of boys that way at all.
And everything changed when you met Edward…"
I don't answer, just blushing, while Alice smirks. The teacher calls us to order and I concentrate on the lesson, hoping to make my blush pass. In art, I take out my bouquet of plastic flowers and when it's my turn to explain my choice, I get up and say:
"I chose to represent spring in the form of a bouquet of flowers. They represent the rebirth of nature after winter. I chose to make them in plastic to give a second life to plastic bottles.
That's very interesting Bella, thank me the teacher. »
Emmett then whispers in my ear:
"The bouquet also symbolizes the birth of a new love. »
I roll my eyes, lean towards him and whisper:
" I do not see what you're talking about. I have no lover.
My brother isn't good enough for you?
Your brother has shown no love interest in me, I'm telling you. Just kindness.
If you had known him before, you would understand what I mean.
Either way, I'm not a fan of putting the cart before the horse. If he really wants to go out with me, which I highly doubt, he will find a way to let me know.
Or, you could take the lead… he suggests, raising his eyebrows rhythmically.
Firstly, I'm pretty old school and I prefer to let the boy make the first move… and secondly, he certainly caught my attention, but I would like to know him more before going any further, to know if we are compatible or not.
I understand why he gives you thirty. Are you sure you're seventeen?
My looks should be enough to convince you of that, I say kicking into touch. »
Damn, am I reacting that much like a 30-something?! Luckily, Emmett kicks in and our conversation ends there. At lunch time, I was pleasantly surprised to see cherry tomatoes and cauliflower. What change ! I turn to Jessica's table, but she waves at me, pointing to another table, where Edward motions for me to join him. I take one last look at Jessica who gives her thumbs up, envious gaze and walks over to Edward.
"Do you want to join me? he asks with a slight smile.
Admit that you want my tomatoes.
I'd rather see the color on your cheeks than in my mouth, he answers tac-au-tac.3
I sit down and we start discussing our country and cultural preferences. I peck my vegetables after dipping them in the kind of cream given with it. I concentrate on my tray for a few minutes before realizing that Edward has stopped talking and is staring at my fingers brought to my mouth. I ask him if he's okay and he shakes his head assuring me that he is. When the bell rings, I think I heard him sigh: "The meal is really torture!"