II. Interview with a Vampire
Edward Cullen returned the following Monday and I almost decided to ditch. I was totally a coward, and Bella's face only gave me so much immunity. The chances of me putting my foot in my mouth, were about the same as Rosalie hating my guts. In fact, I was pretty sure that after the stunt Edward pulled, she already did. I was basically fated to blurt out the first, dumbass thought that came to mind. Just breathe. You can totally do this. Just answer his stupid, invasive questions and do NOT piss him off.
"Isabella, come on! Stop dragging your feet. We're going to be late!"
"Sorry, Ange," I pouted, reluctantly picking up my pace and hurrying after her. We made it just in time for the bell to ring. I slid onto my stool without looking in Cullen's direction.
"Hello," he greeted me quietly, and I held back a resigned sigh. Reluctantly, I turned to face him, and he continued, "My name is Edward Cullen. I didn't have a chance to introduce myself last week. You must be Isabella Swan."
"That's me," I grimaced and turned to face forward again. I had been startled to see how young he appeared. Nothing at all like Robert Pattinson―Edward was clearly seventeen. Even trying to pass off as being in his 20's would be a stretch, despite his height. He had a softness to his face that belied his age. I found it sad to see that he was never able to mature past that.
If he was offended by my clear dismissal, he didn't say anything. His opportunity to continue the conversation would present itself soon enough.
The tardy bell rang and Mr. Banner jumped into the lab instructions. I listened carefully, praying that all my studying in order to prepare for this lab had paid off. Unlike Bella, I had no talent for biology. The fact that I had to take Biology II (and as Edward had already proved, couldn't switch to anything else), was a bit of a nightmare for me.
What I wouldn't give to take physics.
"Ladies first, partner?" Edward asked, pulling me from my thoughts. I refrained from jokingly pushing the microscope in his direction in mock agreement.
"Sure thing," I muttered, snapping the first slide into place. Tugging the microscope closer, I leaned in and squinted. "Hmm… I wanna say it's prophase, but you'll have to double check," I said, straightening up.
"Of course," he shot me a dazzling smile that had me blinking in confusion. Oh. So that's what vampire allurement is like in full effect. Shit.
"It's prophase," Edward assured me with another charming grin, before writing it down on our worksheet and switching out the slides. "Anaphase," he murmured.
I didn't challenge him. The less interaction, the better. As soon as he wrote it down, he switched out the slides again and pushed the microscope towards me. Leaning over again, I squinted at the cell for about half a minute, before deciding, "Interphase."
He double checked it, without prompting this time, before writing it down. Again, he identified the next slide as metaphase. We didn't bother checking the last slide. If we were right, process of elimination would narrow it down to telophase.
We sat in a strained silence. I could feel him staring at me, but I avoided his gaze. I didn't want to get caught in his predatory charms―it was honestly terrifying, knowing as much as I did.
"So, Edward, didn't you think Isabella should get a chance with the microscope?" Mr. Banner asked.
I frowned, but before I could correct him, Edward admitted, "She identified three of the five." Okay, that wasn't true. We hadn't even looked at the last one. But contradicting him wouldn't help my case.
Mr. Banner turned to me with a skeptical expression that had me bristling. "Have you done this lab before?"
"No," I replied with a challenging tilt of my chin. I study my ass off and this is the response I get? Ugh.
He seemed a little taken aback, but conceded with a nod. "Well, I guess it's good you two are lab partners," he settled on a diplomatic reply, before walking off to check on the rest of our classmates.
Beside me, Edward chuckled. When I didn't reward him with a response, he said, "It's too bad about the snow, isn't it?"
"Sure," I shrugged, still staring down at my notebook.
He paused for a second and then he said, "You don't seem particularly devastated."
Wow. He's really pushing this, huh? Stupid mental shield. "It's just snow," I shrugged again. Maybe I should just talk to him.
With a resigned sigh, I finally turned to look at him. "You're really pushing this weather subject, huh?"
"I guess?" he seemed slightly confused, as though just realizing that the talk of weather wasn't all that engaging. At least for me. He must've picked up on the fact that everyone else had been happy enough to complain about it.
"Look, if there's something you want to know, just ask," I said bluntly, and turned back to my notebook. I flipped to an empty page and started on a to-do list of homework assignments I needed to complete that night.
Edward didn't look a gift horse in the mouth and immediately asked, "Why did you come here?"
My eyebrows shot up. "To biology? I didn't get much say in my schedule," I huffed.
"I meant to Forks," he said tersely.
"Oh," I paused, pen coming to halt. I then rattled off Bella's story, "Mom got remarried. Mom wanted to travel with her husband. So, I left."
"That…doesn't seem fair," he admitted, voice sympathetic.
"And?" I replied, not really looking for an answer. I was trying to come up with ideas on what to write for my essay for English. "Does my being here really inconvenience you so much?"
Ahh! Why did I say that?! I knew it! Stupid foot in the mouth, just like always.
But miracle of miracles, my accurate "assumption" immediately shut him up. I spent the rest of the period brainstorming topics for my essay on Wuthering Heights and wondering if I could buy an extra lock for my window.
As soon as the bell rang, Edward was out of the classroom like a bat from hell. Mike sidled up to me as I packed away my notebook at a more sedate pace. "That was awful," he groaned. "They all look exactly the same. You're lucky you had Cullen for a partner."
I scowled and swung the strap of my bag over my shoulder. "You're saying I'm incapable?"
"W-what? No!" he immediately denied. "Of course not!"
"That's what I thought."
Regardless, Mike followed after me like a puppy. Unlike with Bella, he seemed more intimidated by me, but he was crushing all the same. Poor guy.
I almost didn't show up to school when I woke up to an icy wonderland outside Bella's house the next morning. But in the end, guilt won over. If I didn't go, would someone else get crushed by Tyler's van? On the bright side, if I did die, I might wake up as Hermione this time! So, I pulled on the warmest sweater I could find and finished getting ready, before dragging my feet out to the truck.
"Well," I sighed, climbing into the driver's seat, "Like Dumbledore said: 'To the well-organized mind, death is but the next great adventure.'"
It all happened rather quickly. I had carefully stepped onto the icy grounds of the high school parking lot and slammed my door shut, when the screeching of tires resounded against the ice. A blue van was skidding in my direction, tires locked and squealing against the breaks. It spun wildly, getting closer and closer. I clutched the handle of my car door, feet sliding across the ice and preventing me from jumping out of the way.
But miraculously, I was slammed from my side, head thudding against the iced asphalt. I remained pinned to the ground while above me, the metal frame of the van bent and morphed around the bed of my truck like play-doh, tires still squealing and the crunch of metal resounding in my ringing ears. The van continued sliding towards me, but a pair of hands shot out and brought it to a final halt less than a foot from my face, metal distorted where the hands had shoved it away, the van teetering back on its side.
I wasn't prepared to suddenly be dragged, legs scraping against the ice, right before the airborne tires of the van could slam back down, ice crunching where my legs had just been, windows bursting into a shower of glass.
For one, tense second, an eerie silence settled over the lot. And then somebody screamed, prompting a cacophony of terrified shouting.
"Isabella?! Are you alright?"
My eyes swiveled up and met the distressed gaze of Edward Cullen.
I swallowed thickly, lips trembling. "I...I'm fine. Thanks for the save," I gasped, before shutting my eyes in order to keep tears from falling.
Shit. Okay, this is it. Just don't question what he did, and deny, deny, deny, you saw anything. I swallowed again, thinking that it had only been a few months ago that I had gotten into a different car crash. Except my best friend had been in the passenger seat. And though we'd both been able to walk away from my wrecked car, it had been just as terrifying.
"You're welcome," Edward finally replied.
I didn't say anything. I just kept my position on the ground, head throbbing, waiting for the ambulance I was sure someone had already called. I can't believe he really saved me...I'm glad. I want to go home, but getting crushed by Tyler's van is not the way to do it.
"Are you sure you're okay?" Edward asked again. "You hit your head pretty hard."
Above us, the shouting continued. "Get Tyler out of the van!" someone cried.
"It hurts," I admitted with a wince, "But I don't think it's anything serious."
"Do you think you can sit up?" he asked.
And I suddenly realized that the vampire who thirsted for my blood, was pressed closely against me, holding me in an iron grip. "Right," I muttered. "Yes. I can sit up." Sliding his arms from around my waist and grasping my elbows, he helped pull me up, until I could sit in the small space between Tyler's van and Bella's truck. "Thanks," I whispered, blinking back tears and wrapping my arms around my torso, suddenly realizing how frigidly cold it was, ice pressing against the thin fabric of my jeans.
I avoided his concerned gaze, instead listening to the teachers and EMTs around us as they struggled to move the van far enough to bring in the stretchers. Although I didn't think I needed one, I also wasn't in the right state of mind to traverse the ice-coated parking lot. I closed my eyes, avoiding the crying faces around me, hoping the day would end already.
Once again, I found myself at the center of attention. It was slightly exhausting keeping up with everyone's concern, but I was very touched. Tyler was inconsolable. Which, admittedly, was starting to get old. I was the one who almost got crushed to death―why did I have to be the one to constantly reassure him?
But I'd already expected all of this. What I hadn't expected was Edward's attention...okay, attention was probably a bit of a strong word. I'd looked forward to the silent treatment, but instead he went out of his way to talk to me in class. I'd eventually guessed that my lack of scrutiny had lowered his guard, and now he was back, trying to pick at my brain. I couldn't imagine why. I thought my gossiping with Jessica would've shown him that I was as vapid as any typical teenage girl.
Shame on me. I'm technically in my mid-twenties.
"Isabella?"
"Huh?" I glanced up, realizing that Tyler's chattering had followed me from the lunch room. "Sorry, what was that?"
If my lack of attention annoyed Tyler, he didn't say so. Instead, he repeated, "How about I take you out tomorrow?"
I snorted. "Tyler. I'm sorry. But I'm pretty sure the chief will not be letting me go anywhere with you." It was harsh, but I couldn't imagine Charlie being okay with this after what Tyler had done. He wasn't my dad, but he had enough similarities to my own dad, that I figured Teenage Rebellion Part 2 was unnecessary. God knows I'd caused my own dad enough grief.
Tyler only seemed abashed. "Don't sweat it. I promise, I'll come up with something really good!" he grinned at me, finally splitting off once I reached my bio class. It was Friday, and I was tempted to get the weekend started early, if only to avoid Edward's small talk. But I knew it would only bring more attention to myself.
"Good afternoon, Isabella," he greeted me as soon as I dumped my bag atop our shared lab table.
"'Sup," I said, hopping onto the stool. We were both early, so I pulled my trig notebook out and began working on the problems Mr. Varner had assigned.
Ah, trig―the only trustworthy thing in this fucked up life.
"What are you thinking?"
This had become Edward's staple question this past week. I was usually honest―he always caught me with the most inane thoughts running through my head. "Math," I said blandly. But I was never elaborate. I was hoping I could eventually bore him to death (figuratively.)
I saw his lips twitch upwards from my peripherals. Around us, students begin to fill the room, chattering loudly.
"Hey, Isabella!" Mike called as soon as he bounded into the room. I shot him a smile and began switching out my trig notebook, for my bio one.
"Mike, you act like you didn't just see me at lunch," I said, dumping my backpack by my stool and leaning against the table, chin resting on my palm.
"I didn't get to sit next to you," he pouted, "You're too popular for me."
I snorted a laugh. "High school popularity. The pinnacle of all my ambitions."
It's exhausting is what it is.
Mike grinned. "You're not too shabby at it. You could do with some pointers though," he teased.
Mike wasn't all bad―when he wasn't asking me out on dates.
"Pointers from a guy who wasn't even popular enough to snag a seat next to me?" I mocked, tilting up my chin in that haughty way I'd seen Lauren do. "Pass."
He rolled his eyes. And then, like usual, switched the subject on me. "Uh, listen, Isabella. Tomorrow's Saturday, and I was wondering if―"
I shot a hand up. "Let me stop you right there. I actually already have plans with Jessica. But, I was wondering if you could wait for me after our PE class. There's something I'd like to talk to you about."
His resulting grin was face-splitting. I squashed down my guilt, knowing it was just best to be blunt with him and Tyler. Neither had taken a hint all week.
Mr. Banner was calling the class to order, so he only whispered a quick, "Definitely!" before hurrying to his seat.
After a short lecture, Mr. Banner began passing out a thick study guide, allowing us to get started in order to prepare for our exam on Tuesday.
Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Edward's grouchy face. It wasn't that usual frustrated look he got when I moved around too much, making it more difficult for him to handle my scent. He just looked outright irritated.
"What's the matter with you now?" My guard around Edward had been dropping for the past few days, as had my filter.
He was taken aback, and then his expression became thoughtful. "There's something I'm having trouble understanding," he admitted. I finished jotting down my name, before turning to him, facing him for the first time since he'd saved my life.
"I have a feeling this has nothing to do with our study guide," I said dryly, struggling to keep my expression neutral. How do you stare into the face of a beautiful boy and not giggle like a complete ditz?
"No," he conceded ruefully, and then admitted, "I noticed you are very friendly with everyone around here. But you seem to have a particular aversion towards me."
His candid tone took me by surprise and I struggled for a moment, wondering how to approach this. Finally, I said, "You're a very reserved person. I didn't realize you were trying to be friends with me." The shield was both a blessing and a curse. It meant I wasn't getting killed for knowing the Cullen's secret, but it also meant I had know-it-all Edward constantly at my back. I still couldn't imagine why. I hadn't made the fact that I was as obnoxious as Jessica a secret at all.
Edward chuckled, face sheepish, a hand ruffling his hair. He almost seemed human in that moment. I accidentally met his golden gaze again, long enough to become dazed this time. "I never did thank you," I blurted unintentionally. I had to tear away my eyes in order to gather my scattered thoughts. I cleared my throat, embarrassed, and confessed, only meeting his gaze from my peripherals, "About the accident on Tuesday. Thank you for saving my life." I had expected his avoidance―a proper thank you hadn't occurred to me. And I had been slightly afraid that what I'd seen might come into question; he obviously hadn't been standing anywhere near me.
His smile was breathtaking and I was relieved that I'd lowered my gaze in time. "You're welcome," he murmured.
Thankfully, he didn't resume his inquiries on our "budding friendship" and we spent the rest of class in a companionable silence.
A/N: Thank you so much to everyone who reviewed, faved, and followed! Y'all made me so happy and I got this chapter done quicker than intended! x) I hope y'all liked the chapter. I did my best to cover the rest of canon quickly. So, next chapter we'll be veering off, since I'm not doing the time skip all the way to March. Anything goes, so let me know if there's anything in particular you'd like to see. I don't make promises, but I'm open to ideas! :)
What do you imagine is going through Edward's head as of now? Poor guy doesn't know he's the one being duped, lol.