VI. Healthy Ditching

In light of the spring dance approaching, I'd been forced to take into consideration the looming events of canon. I was still stuck here and I couldn't keep my head buried in the sand while knowing what was to come. And if I remembered the sequence of events correctly, blood typing in biology would come next.

So, the morning after the fiasco with Emmett, I met with Angela at her locker and asked, "Do you know when we're blood typing in biology?" Unfortunately, I couldn't be sure of the exact day.

Angela glanced up as she dug out her materials for English. "Blood typing? If we are, Mr. Banner hasn't announced it."

I frowned. "Oh."

"We have time before English though. Do you wanna drop by his class to ask?"

"Absolutely not." The man still had it out for me after I had ditched his class my first day here. He certainly knew how to hold a grudge, the old grump.

Angela seemed surprised by my harsh words, but was quick to follow after me as we headed to our shared class with Mr. Mason.

I wracked my brain trying to figure out if I was remembering the events incorrectly. But no, I was so sure that it was meant to happen, if not today, then maybe tomorrow. Though Mr. Banner not announcing it made sense, otherwise Bella would have known not to attend class. So, it had to have been a surprise activity then.

As I hurried down the hall past my sloth-like schoolmates, I caught sight of familiar red hair.

"Angela, go on ahead without me. I'll catch up," I quickly threw the words in her direction, before veering off into the adjoining hall and hurrying to fall into step beside Edward.

"Hey," I said, rather abruptly.

"Hello?" Edward slowed his steps, befuddled by my unexpected approach.

I didn't beat around the bush. "Do you know when Mr. Banner is gonna have us do blood typing in biology?" If anyone was going to know, it would obviously be the resident mind reading vampire.

His brow furrowed with something that looked like concern. "I believe he plans to do so today―"

"Cool. Thanks. Bye."

I turned and hurried off back into the direction of my classroom just as the warning bell rang.

Later that day, after the lunch period was over, I intercepted Brandon before he could make it into the building that housed our biology class.

"You wanna ditch?"

Brandon paused just outside the entrance and turned to me with a look of surprise. "You want to ditch?" he laughed.

"I'm offering to join you for once. Don't look a gift horse in the mouth," I said, rather than trying to explain Bella's physical intolerance for blood.

Brandon heaved an unexpected sigh. "Sorry Mar. Tara and I already have too many absences in that class."

I scrunched my nose in disbelief. "Too many? It's barely March."

Brandon shrugged in a what-can-you-do gesture.

I scowled. "You're useless."

He laughed even harder this time. "Should've joined us when you had the chance then."

I waved him off. "Yeah. Whatever. I'll see you later."

I hurried off before he had the chance to reply. Already, students were beginning to disperse and I was liable to get caught by a teacher if I stayed out in the open any longer. I made a beeline back towards the cafeteria, ducking around the back of the building towards where there were tables set up under the awning. With the steady rainfall, it was either this or the truck, but I was pretty sure Edward would spend the class period in his own car and I would rather avoid running into him in the parking lot.

I had barely settled down, moving to pull one of my writing notebooks out of my backpack when another figure appeared from around the corner.

Speak of the devil.

My eyes narrowed as he continued to approach me. "What are you doing here?"

"What does it look like?" Edward asked sarcastically as he slid onto the bench across the table from me.

I decidedly kept my notebook hidden away and zipped up my backpack. "I was here first."

"Mar, you don't own the cafeteria," he said, trying and failing to suppress a laugh.

I guess I'll have to hide out in the truck then.

When I moved to stand up, he quickly lifted his hands in a sign of surrender. "I'll leave," he assured me. "I merely wanted to ask you something first."

I sat back down and crossed my arms over my chest. "If this is about the girls' choice dance, the answer is no," I deadpanned. Though I sincerely doubted that to be the case, considering he hadn't even asked Bella to the dance.

Edward grinned wryly. "No, that's not it."

"Fine. But if you get to ask me a question, then I get to ask one in return."

"I…supposed that's fair," he said reluctantly.

"You suppose right."

Edward rubbed at his face in a gesture that belied exhaustion. It would've been more believable if I thought him to be human. When he finally dropped his hand, he gazed at me with a serious expression and asked, "Why did you ditch biology?"

I briefly met the gold of his eyes, surprised by such an inane question.

"...I get nauseous at the smell of blood."

What? Does he think I'm a vampire in disguise?

"Oh." Edward appeared just as underwhelmed as I did by the whole exchange. "But then, how did you know Mr. Banner would have such an activity lined up for us?"

"How did you?" I shot back.

He tensed. "Is that your question?" he asked, clearly displeased.

"No," I said dismissively and rushed to continue before he could break our deal and vanish. "Why won't your family leave me alone?"

"Ah." Edward grimaced. "The blame for that can be placed solely on Alice. She's got it in her head that we're all supposed to be friends with you."

"Oh." Obviously, Alice had already told me this herself. That Esme and Emmett had decided to go along with it wasn't so surprising. But still, could she be confusing visions of Bella with myself?

Unfortunately, this wasn't something I could discuss with any of them.

Edward finally stood to his feet. "I'll go now."

"Thanks," I mumbled, far too distracted to pay him any mind.

Even when I pulled out my notebook to brainstorm ideas, I couldn't get anything written down. Did Alice not understand the consequences of getting me involved in their lives? Between James, Victoria's newborn vampire army, and the Volturi, it was a wonder all of the Cullens had made it out alive. Was I doomed by the narrative of a story I didn't even want to participate in?

I stared at the still-blank page of my notebook, feeling strangely betrayed.

I suppose this is how all of my characters must feel, I thought sardonically and finally got to work.

After school, I chased Brandon down before he could leave. I had meant to speak with him during our biology period, but since he'd refused to ditch with me, now would be my last chance for the day.

"Hey, what's up Mar?" he asked when I caught up to him.

"I know you mentioned you hate school dances," I said, "but will you please make an exception and go to the spring dance with me?"

"I don't dance," he reminded me flatly.

"I know." I smiled. "Neither do I."

He looked at me weirdly. "Then what do you plan to do? Stand around all night and look pretty?"

"That's exactly it." I loved to dress up when the occasion called for it.

Brandon stared at me. "...And what do you need me there for, then?"

I paused, unsure of how to explain the pit of anxiety that would swallow me whole if I didn't have something to occupy my attention. It's not like I could stand around folding paper cranes all night. Besides, that would defeat the purpose of attending a social event, and while I was sure I would get a moment or two with the girls, they would in all likelihood be more focused on their own dates. Therefore, I needed a date of my own that would keep me company and socially engaged.

Ultimately, I simply said, "I need a friend."

Brandon scowled down at me. "Don't give me those damn puppy dog eyes, Mar."

"Is it working?" I pressed my lips together to keep from grinning in triumph.

He sighed and scrubbed a hand through his short blond waves of hair. "Fine," he bit out. "But you owe me one."

I bounced on my feet. "Thank you!"

"Yeah, whatever. I'll see you around," he said, waving me off and loping off in the direction of his parked car.

I turned in the opposite direction, walking towards the library with a bounce in my step. The girls would all be thrilled and I'd get to shop for a new dress―

My pace slowed significantly as I recalled what had awaited Bella in Port Angeles. Sure, I could choose to stick closely with the girls and avoid getting caught alone out on the streets. But that had also been the basis of my plan for avoiding the Cullens at school, and yet, they came to me regardless. So clearly, it wasn't full proof.

Inside the library, Jasper had already beat me to our usual table.

When I reached my self-assigned seat, I paused and stared at the lethal vampire pretending to be an unassuming high school student. He was reading yet another thick tome that could have only come from Carlisle's library, lanky hair partially obscuring his face in a manner that made him appear younger than he was pretending to be.

When I didn't immediately take my seat, Jasper glanced up and eyed me curiously. "Mar, what troubles you?"

Leave it to the empath to choose the least subtle question.

"You know how I've been gracious enough to tolerate your presence at my table for the last six weeks?" I asked with no real bite to my tone.

Jasper grinned. "I'm aware."

"I'd like to cash in on a return favor now."

The sudden severity of my tone caused Jasper to straighten up and shut his book, affording me all of his attention. "How can I be of assistance?"

"I'd like to hire you as my bodyguard."

Because if I had to choose between a vampire and a rapist, I'd take the vampire any day. And at the very least, I had the comfort of knowing that none of the Cullens actually wanted to kill me.

"Please," Jasper said, gesturing towards my seat, "tell me who you need protecting from."

I dropped my backpack and settled into the chair across from him. "The girls are planning a shopping trip to Port Angeles next week, before the dance," I explained in a low tone, leaning my forearms comfortably against the table. There weren't that many kids currently in the library, but this wasn't the kind of thing that I wanted overheard. "Obviously, I'd love to go since I need a dress. But there's also a serial rapist that's currently hanging around that area and I'd rather not take my chances."

Jasper's expression turned brittle. "Who is he?"

I shrugged. "Dunno. I think his name is Lonnie or Lanny, or something like that."

"Where did you hear this from?"

"…My sources would rather go unnamed."

Jasper observed me with flinty eyes, hands curled into stone fists atop his book. "Fine," he allowed. "Anything else?"

I shook my head. "What day works best for you?" I asked instead. Since the sunny weather seemed to have been a part of the problem in Edward being able to keep track of Bella in the book, I had rather hoped to avoid it.

"I'll be having some relatives over next week, so Wednesday would work best for me."

I nodded in agreement, relieved. "Wednesday it is."

A/N: I know the running gag is that Mar is trying to avoid the Cullens, but I decided to make an exception for this, because serial rapist :(

Also, it seems I have accidentally stumbled back into canon events. These added chapters are generally supposed to be self-contained, but that's obviously not the case here since I've set up the Port Angeles trip with Jasper's involvement. In light of that, I'll try my best to cover the next three canon events: the day trip to First Beach, the shopping trip to Port Angeles, and the spring dance. I can't promise I'll do it in a timely manner, but I'll try my best for you guys :)

This is also the first thing I've written in two months so sorry if it's rough.

As always, your comments are appreciated and loved! :3