Chapter 3
Let the hunt begin !
I think at full speed looking for the right words to avoid being murdered on the spot. Thin ! I haven't even reached 24 hours in Forks yet and I'm already going to pass away. I quickly take a page from my notebook, tear it up and start writing:
"I see the future, like Alice. That's how we got closer and in a vision she told me you had a gift too. I'm sorry to have scared you. I'll keep the secret and I hope you keep mine. »
He reads over my shoulder
"You know I'm going to ask Alice?" he whispers. »
Before I can answer he reaches for his pocket, discreetly pulls out a flip phone. I pout. I had forgotten that cell phones were in Stone Age condition in the mid-2000s. Jasper closes his phone, reaches for the note I wrote, and then adds in pretty slanted handwriting:
"Alice asked me not to hurt you and wonders about smartphones. »
In his mind it was more of a threat than a request and he was quite reluctant to let a human live who would threaten his Alice's safety. I clear my throat and was going to take the note sheet to explain when it disappears and another blackened sheet replaces it. The teacher is right next to us.
"May I ask you what is this sheet that you have been passing to each other for a while now, young people? »
Jasper handed him the document and replied:
"These are the notes from last week. I was explaining to Bella where we were on the Civil War.
Oh, very good! But I would prefer it to be done outside of school hours.
Of course sir, I'm sorry. »
Damn it! They are really good at lying! The teacher leaves and I mimic a "thank you" with my lips. He just nodded. A blue window then appeared in front of me:
"Quest completed… Reward granted…"
I never thought four words would relieve me so much. I was safe and sound...for now. Alice is there after class. She grabs Jasper's arm, waves at me and they disappear down the hall. I head to my next class without any Cullens for once. The calm before the storm, but a welcome calm after all this stress. I had no idea high school was so scary. I was tired, even though the worst had not yet passed.
When lunchtime strikes, I follow the flow of humans leaving to eat. A petite brunette with a thick curly mane approaches me then, introducing herself as Jessica Stanley… Of course, she couldn't miss the opportunity to get noticed by getting closer to the shiny new toy. We arrive at the canteen under the incessant flow of his questions. I should have taken an ibuprofen pill with me, the headache is back on the tip of his nose.
I stand in line and get depressed seeing the variety of dishes… I'm going to prepare packed lunches, it's impossible to eat so few vegetables, my intestine will end up dancing the samba in less than a week. I see a glimmer of hope when green and orange enter my field of vision. Baby carrots and broccoli… I explain that I only want that. The lady who takes care of the service looks at me strangely, but serves me a good portion, the vegetables are obviously not right and I pass for an alien… fantastic!
I choose an apple for dessert and get my tray. Jessica gestures for me to join her at her table. From memory, that's also what Bella did, I decide to take Alice's advice and do as planned. I greet the students already at the table, playing at trying to guess who each one is, when I see the Cullens' table. Alice and Jasper are not at the table. I recognize Rosalie and Muscleman next to her must be Emmett.
"I wonder how much weight he can lift…I whisper.
Pardon? You were saying? Jessica asks me. »
She turns to follow my gaze and laughs.
"You're talking about Emmett Cullen.
The tall brunette cut like a bodybuilder?
Yeah.
What muscles!
Don't bother, he's taken.
By the magnificent creature next to him I imagine. »
Jessica sneers. I admit that I add to it, but as much to put all the chances on my side and then, it's not as if I was lying, she really looks like a model.
"Rosalie Hale, the ice queen. If you approach her man, she petrifies you on the spot, adds Jessica with disdain
Isn't it more like Medusa? I raise an eyebrow.
It doesn't matter, its better not to approach those, retorts Jessica.
I prefer to make my own opinion, I reply. If it turns out Rosalie is adorable and just has trouble communicating.
As you wish, but I will have warned you. »
I shrug my shoulders and return to my observation, when I notice the three Cullens watching me. Awesome! Speaking of keeping a low profile… I smile at Rosalie, who glares at me before turning back to her tray. Emmett seems to be trying to calm her down. I feel like being in Rosalie's little papers is on the same level of difficulty as a raid boss when you start a game.
"Bonus quest: Make Rosalie smile… Reward: a story… Penalty: unnecessary stress… Time limit: none"
If I still doubted that the developers were on drugs, I have just had confirmation. These quests are all weirder than each other. I wrinkle my nose. My eye is drawn back to the vampire table. Edward watches me in frustration, a pout on his lips. Oh yes ! It's true that not reading my thoughts irritates him to the highest point and I really want to have a little fun with that.
"Jessica? Who's the boy next to Emmett and Rosalie? I ask.
It's Edward Cullen.
Emmett's brother.
Yes. Cannon, huh? she sneered with a smirk
I don't know… I guess so, but he looks a little stuck up with his scowl, you think he swallowed something wrong. »
I hear a burst of laughter from the side of the Cullens' table. I smile internally. Jessica looks at Emmett, then at Edward, who still looks pinched, surprised.
"It's true that he rarely smiles, but it's rare to see him in such a bad mood.
Bad news to swallow maybe, I suggest.
Maybe, Jessica is unconvinced. In any case, don't get tired, no girl is good enough for him. »
I sense the resentment in those few words and half-smile.
"Oh, oh…I'm gently scoffing. Did you by any chance try your luck without success?
So what ? Won't you try? There aren't many such cute bachelors in this school, she replies annoyed. »
I decide to have pity on her and encourage her in the right direction. Hopefully I'll kill two birds with one stone by getting Mike away before he notices me.
"Aren't you going to tell me that the looks I've been seeing you throwing at Mike a while ago haven't paid off yet?"
For what ? Are you interested in him too? she replies nastily. »
Oh oh ! She pulls out her claws to defend her steak! Poor Mike! Reduced to being a piece of meat in the lion's den. I giggle at the image and reassure Jessica.
"No, Jesse. Mike is NOT my type of boy AT ALL, you have nothing to worry about. »
Her gaze softens and she asks me mischievously:
"So… What's your type of boy?" »
A blue window appears:
"Secondary quest: satisfy Jessica's curiosity… Reward: complicity with Jessica +1… Penalty: complicity with Jessica -1… duration: meal time"
Finally a meaningful quest. I thought for a few seconds before deciding to be honest:
"I like mature, serious boys…
What excludes Mike from office, cuts me Jessica. »
I laugh with her before adding:
"He must also be cultivated and gifted with his hands. »
Jessica sneers. I understand the double meaning of my words and complete my thinking.
"I mean, being able to create something with your hands, an object or playing music. I'm very creative myself and that's something I admire in others. »
Out of the corner of my eye, I see Edward watching us. Very well, sir, you'll get your money's worth… Jessica leans over conspiratorially. Playing the game, I lean in my turn. She whispers:
«And physically ? »
I answer in a whisper, knowing full well:
"Tall, light-eyed, pale-skinned, but above all elegant and with good manners.
That definitely excludes Mike! laughs Jessica, looking relieved.
Probably, I nod.
But you do know that this kind of boy is on the verge of extinction, don't you? she asks.
Yes, but what can I do, I've always loved vintage. You'll see when I come with my car tomorrow.
What is special about it? Jessica asks, curious.
You won't be able to take your eyes off her, she attracts all eyes. »
The bell rings and I know I've succeeded in my quest when I hear Jessica growl. Indeed a blue window confirms my thoughts. I stand up and grimace when I remember I'm heading into the lion's den. Angela, a nice girl from the table, offers to accompany me to class since she also attends. I hesitate for two seconds before entering the room, spot the fan wire plugged in next to the entrance, pretend to trip over it and the machine, deprived of power, stops just before I pass it. I hand my slip to Mr. Banner and walk calmly, or so it seems, to my seat next to Edward.
"Main Quest: Survive the first Biology lesson… Reward: Survival… Penalty: Death… Duration: Biology lesson"
I kinda suspected the nature of the next quest and it's not going to be easy judging by Edward's attitude. He's tense, his muscles tense, and the glare he's giving me tells me he's deliberating whether to kill me now or later. I remember a discussion between him and Bella, in the meadow, I think, where he half-acknowledged that if there weren't so many students around and especially his desire not to disappoint Carlisle, he would have killed Bella on the spot. And in the book, he managed to get used to the smell and the more he got to know it, the more it intrigued him and the more the watch stayed away. Maybe I could help him by distracting him.
Good idea Eowyn! Blow your perfume in her face! I change my mind and grab a note sheet. After all, it worked out well with Jasper so he doesn't have to breathe to answer me. I write quickly.
" Are you doing well ? You look sick. »
He reads the note and scribbles in elegant handwriting:
"I haven't eaten well recently. »
I don't miss the double meaning. Alright let's follow the same line of thought.
"You should try to eat vegetarian, there isn't much healthy in the canteen. »
I see a smirk on his face and I know I made the right choice. He writes himself.
"I think it's a good idea. Anyway, I prefer homemade dishes. »
I complete:
"The satisfaction of choosing food and preparing it yourself. »
He nods and concentrates on the lesson. Although the tension in his muscles is still visible, his face no longer expresses pain or disgust. For the rest of class, I try to breathe lightly and calmly. My heart remains stable and I even end up concentrating on the course. After all, it's my area of expertise and it's interesting to see how biology is studied in the United States. My teacher's soul resurfaces and I remember that I'm stuck in a game. I may never find my past life again.
My heart tightens and I feel a liquid touch my hand. I'm crying and I didn't even realize it. A white cloth appears in my field of vision. It's Edward who hands me his handkerchief with his fingertips, staying away from me. I thank him and wipe my tears discreetly. Once the moisture is gone, I give it back to him, thanking him once again. He tries to convince me to keep it silent, but I insist and he takes it back without a word. The bell rings and he disappears from my sight almost too quickly for a human.
I take a breath and head to my last class of the day. Art class is something I look forward to. I'm crossing my fingers that I'm not in Edward's class, though I imagine he must be in his car deliberating once again on my lifespan like in the book. I sit down at a free bench and I hear someone call out to me:
"Hey Eowyn. »
I look up and see Eric approaching me quickly. Not enough apparently because a massive figure takes the place next to me before he does. Emmett Cullen… I see Eric turn off at the last moment to an empty spot nearby. I turn to the mountain of muscle looking at me mockingly.
"You did it on purpose, huh?" I ask him. You know you scared the hell out of him, I hope.
And you, am I scared? he replies, smiling without expressing the slightest remorse.
You would like to… but no. »
I sigh before adding:
"That said, if I'm to believe Jessica, I'm going to end up murdering soon. »
He frowns, so I clarify:
"Your darling seems to be very protective of you…and you just signed my death warrant by approaching me." »
He bursts out laughing.
"At least there is one of us who finds it hilarious, I breathe. To think that I said to myself when I entered high school this morning: "You can do it, no one is going to bite you..."
Emmett laughs harder and gets reprimanded by the teacher who has just entered the room. The course is exciting and my interest does not diminish during the hour. We need to represent a season through an object. I already know what I'm going to make, but it will take me a few hours to make it. Emmett was rather quiet, after our discussion or else I was too absorbed to pay any attention to him. He wished me a good evening and left the room.
I go out too and go to the office of the secretariat, to hand over the duly completed slip. When I open the door, I see Edward trying to change his schedule… Obviously a draft, throws my perfume in his face and he freezes in an instant, apologizes to Mrs. Cope and walks over. to the door. I smile at him with all my teeth meeting his dark gaze. Surprise lights up his eyes for a brief moment before he steps out the door. I give the paper to the aficionada of tacky outfits and head back to the parking lot.
Damn ! We'll have to walk back… A car stops right next to me. On board, is Mike who rolls down the window.
"I'll drop you off, beauty," he said nerdy.
Only if you stop your charm game, playboy!
That works ! Come on, climb! »
He opens the passenger side door and I slide into the seat. We discuss the day and Mike soon parks in front of my house.
"Thank you Mike. It suits me well, I have to go shopping. It seems that my father survived exclusively on fish and beer..."
He laughs softly, then his eyes turn serious. Oh darn ! I feel bad there!
"If you want to thank me, give me a date.
Uh…I'm not sure Mike. I think Jessica cares a lot about you, I say, somewhat embarrassed by her enterprising attitude. »
Hell, he didn't seem so blunt with Bella in the book.
" Who cares ? »
He shrugs and smiles at me as he walks closer. I grab my bag and jump out of the car to get away from him. I open the door of my truck and tell him:
"Well me, for example. I'm not going to betray a new friend from day one. And if that's how you treat women, I'd rather you stay away from me. »
I slam the door and switch on the ignition, while Mike's car starts and pulls away. I freeze when I hear him say, "Let the hunt begin. »