Chapter Seven

Bella

"We can push it back a week, if you want," Charlie said as I made a sandwich for my lunch. "I'm sure you wouldn't be missing much."

I shook my head, putting the ham sandwich in a Ziploc baggie and laying it in the brown paper bag. "No, I'll be okay."

As scared as I was about starting school today, Charlie seemed even more so—if that were possible. I was dreading today, but also looking forward to it. School had always been my . . . happy place—my escape. No one yelled at me, no one hurt me, and everyone just left me alone. I didn't care that people thought I was a freak—the girl with her nose in a book. It didn't matter.

For some reason, though, it kind of mattered to me now. They wouldn't be the same kids that I didn't care about. These people . . . they were all new and terrifying. The school was so small and they'd notice me. No one in Phoenix did and I liked it that way.

"And your wrist is okay?" he asked, pouring cereal in a bowl for me as I sat down. "Your appointment with Carlisle is this afternoon. We could wait and start you tomorrow—once he gives you a clean bill of health."

"My wrist is fine," I said. "I'm probably dreading that more than school, even."

He chuckled. "Yeah, docs freak me out, too. Carlisle's a good guy, though."

It didn't escape my attention that he overused the term "good guy" or "nice lady" with just about everyone in this town. Maybe they were good and nice, but the chances were pretty equal he was wrong about a few of them.

I wasn't about to tell him that, though. I liked his vision of this town and its people. It seemed so simple—something I didn't know much about.

"Well, if you change your mind at any time, just give me a call," he said, pulling a device from his shirt pocket. He laid the phone on the table, sliding it to me. "I put my number and the station's number in there for you already."

My eyes widened as I looked at the phone before me. "You didn't have—"

"Funny thing. They give those away for free if you sign a contract," he said, smiling. "I'm sure it's not the latest or greatest thing out there, but it's got like, texting and Internet on it. I can't use mine worth a damn, but you'll probably figure it out."

"I . . . don't know how to use it," I confessed.

He touched the front and the screen lit up. Sliding his finger across the screen, it went to another. "This is the phone part," he pressed the button, "and there are my numbers. The box is upstairs with the instructions. I'll grab it for you. Go on, take it."

As he stood up and left the kitchen, I picked up the phone and admired it. Everyone had these back in Phoenix, but I'd never actually touched one before. I played around with it, touching the screen and sliding up, going back to a regular screen. All the little icons meant nothing to me, so I went back to the phone one and put it back down.

"Here you go," Charlie said, laying a little booklet on the table for me. "Maybe you can teach me a thing or two tonight."

I nodded. "Yeah, I'll read it today. Thank you so much."

"You're welcome. Hurry and eat. I wanna get you to the school a little early."

. . . . .

In hindsight, I probably should have realized I'd be pulling up to my new, extremely small school in a police cruiser.

And everyone would be staring at me.

Charlie's offer of waiting was looking pretty good as he parked the car and got out with me, leading me into the school. I felt a little at ease knowing he was with me, but he wouldn't stay by my side for long. We headed straight for the office to pick up my schedule since Charlie had gotten me registered last week.

"Chief Swan," a man greeted us, holding out his hand as I looked over the piece of paper Mrs. Cope, the secretary, gave me.

"Harold," Charlie said, shaking his hand. "Bella, this is Mr. Greene—your principal."

The man smiled at me but made no move for my hand. "Welcome to Forks High, Bella. If you ever need anything, my door's open. I have a student to show you around, so she'll be here shortly. Her name's Angela."

"The Webers' girl?" Charlie asked.

He nodded as the door open. "Yeah, good kid. Volunteered, even. Hey, Angela, I'd like you to meet Bella."

Angela smiled, walking closer to me. She towered above me, standing easily at six-foot but thin like me. She had light brown hair and kind eyes.

"Hi, it's nice to meet you," she said. "Do you prefer Bella?"

I nodded. "Yeah, and nice to meet you, too."

"You're in good hands, Bells," Charlie said, passing me the book bag he'd held. "Call me if you need me, all right? I'll pick you up after school."

"Okay, thank you, Charlie."

His arm lifted as if he were going for a hug, but instead awkwardly patted my shoulder. "Have a good day."

"Can I see your schedule?" Angela asked, interrupting my musing on whether or not to run after Charlie. It was good she had because I was highly considering it.

"Um, yeah, here," I said, passing it to her.

She read over it with a smile. "Great! We have most of the same classes. You can stick with me until gym class—I've already fulfilled my requirements, thank goodness," she laughed. "But I'll meet you after."


I don't own Twilight.