Chapter 4
Desmond Conolly's POV
The moment we've contacted our hands. I've never felt anyone to have such a chilling cold skin. His hand was smooth and hard like a marble or alabaster. However, I also felt an electric shock the moment we made contact. He feels like someone that I may have known him for a while, but the question is why do I feel familiarly towards him? Edward also felt it as he and I looked at each other with both our eyebrows raised in astound.
"Your warm..." Edward whispered.
"Your cold..." I stated.
We both simultaneously retracted our hands and continued to analyze each other. His eyes are solid black which goes with his pupil, making him look deadly. Strange, at the cafeteria, even though he was distance from me, I clearly saw his eyes were yellow, like amber. ' Why are they black now? Contact lenses?'
"Hi... I'm Bella Swan." She greeted him while extending out her hand.
Instantly, Edward looked at her with scowl look on his face as he slightly leaned away from her. Bella's face looked between confused and fear. She seems contemplating whether to retreat her hand and ignore him. His eyes looked between her and her hand like she's a plague. I can't tell if this guy has an animosity or has the urge to strangle her now. Either way, I was prepared to jump in and defend her.
'Don't. You. Dare' I thought.
Edward was taken back as he looks at me with a bit of shock. He looks between me and Bella for a moment before his eyes rested on her hand. I was staggered when he finally gave in and shook her hand. Bella's eyes also widened because of his action and probably due to his cold skin.
"Edward... Cullen." He breathed out.
He retracted his hand very quickly. Once again, leaning away from Bella as he clenches his hand into a fist. Bella stares at me bewildered, she smells her hair and mouths me in question, 'do I smell?'. I silently took a sniff, but I don't smell anything foul or stench from her, I shook my head in disagreement. Bella and I looked at him in question only for him to have his eyes locked on me without blinking. 'Why is does he find Bella like she's a plague and is interested in me?'
Mr. Molina started class by given us a few sample jars of cellular anatomy on each table and has given us clear instruction of which pages to study them and name them. While he laid back behind his desk to continue grading sheets. He allowed us to talk within the group if we don't raise our voices. While Bella and I were working on the assignment, Edward barely wrote anything on his notebook. He never relaxed his stiff posture on the edge of his chair, sitting a far from Bella as possible. Perhaps, he is having an episode.
"W-Where are y-you from, Desmond?" Edward huskily whispered.
I stared at him with my eyebrow raised. Taken aback with his question, wanting to start a conversation with me. Bella glanced at him in question; she might have figured he wanted to be left alone without disturbing him, due to his behavior.
"Canada." I spoke.
"Where is exactly in Canada?" He voice is still low.
"Ontario."
"How long?" He shoots me skeptical look.
"Two years or so..." I honestly answered. Still no recollection of the rest of my memory. The only memory I have is waking up at the hospital and from there on.
"And before that?" He pushed on.
I gazed him with skepticism, hoping he was just joking, but I shivered as he had serious look into his eyes; Edward's black eyes plunge into my soul. If looks could kill, then I be dead by that point. If he wants to be curious about me, then I'll have to play my cards with cautious.
"You're very nosy." I flatly told him, he lightly chuckled.
"You didn't a-answer my q-question..." Edward's jaws tensed.
"Why do you care?" I asked, my tone with a warning.
Edward deeply sighs and forces a smile. " We find you remarkably interesting."
I was taken by surprise with his response, my eyes slightly widened. Bella stops writing on her notebook and stares at him with bewildered.
" We?" I carefully asked.
"My family." Edward slowly inhaled. "We want to personally get to know you, if you allow us?"
Honestly, I am completely astonished with how straight forward he was with me. I've previously had a feeling he will beat around the bush, but no, that was not the case. The rest of the students just wanted to vaguely know me without any details, except Jessica. Edward and rest of 'The Cullens' are the second group of people who wants to personally get know me. Apart of me wanted to tell him no, due to how alarming this all sounds.
"T~R~U~S~T H~I~M"
A faint voice spoke out. I looked around slightly frantic over both of my shoulders. Everyone seems to be minding their own business as they didn't seem bother hearing that voice. Edward and Bella stared at me quizzically as they narrowed their eyes.
"Are you okay?" Edward asked.
"Y-Yeah..." I cleared my throat. "Okay, I'll answer a few questions-" I winced when a felt a kick on my leg under the desk, glancing annoyingly at Bella. She had a dubious look on her face and leaned towards me.
"Are you serious?!" She upsettingly whispered; Edward scowls at her.
"What? I'm also curious about this." I innocently whispered to her while leaning close to her, hoping Edward wouldn't listen.
"What if they are part of a cult?! What if they want to kidnap-"
"I-If you think, we a-are going to do anything-" Edward closed his eyes tightly and bit the bottom of his lips in frustration. "...malicious to him, Bella? You're w-wrong!"
Edward's tone sounded offended with loathe for Bella to be thinking that way of his family. Honestly, I don't understand how everyone in this school jumps into conclusions how they view of The Cullen being cult or freaks just because of their private life. They must understand they are still human beings. Bella was only trying to warn me; I don't think she thought of his family as dangerous of a cult.
"Well, Edward... Go ahead." I encouraged, hoping to step away from the subject.
"Where w-were you before living in Ontario, Canada?"
"Well, sorry to disappoint you Edward, I don't have any memory from before that."
"How c-come?" Edward worriedly asked.
"Well..." I took a deep breath, contemplating weather I should explained them or not. Edward and Bella will be the first people who I'll be informing them about my condition. Although, I barely met them on my first day, I grew fond of Bella throughout this whole ordeal since we both were brand new in this school, but Edward.
"D~O~N'~T D~O~U~B~T"
'Why is all of this is happening to me?' I panickily thought, but Edward half smiles.
"I woke up in the hospital's bed with amnesia. The Doctor informed me I was involve in a major vehicle accident and that I'm also diagnosed with angina. I have been prescribed to take-"
"Nitroglycerin." Edward interjected.
"Yeah... How'd you know?" I asked.
"My father works at the local hospital here at Forks, I'm sure you've already heard." Edward half smiles. I could clearly see he became more relaxed the more we engaged into our conversation.
"Right, Dr. Cullen. Are you majoring into medicine too?" I sheepishly asked with a smiled, Edward chuckles.
"Yes... Aside from having chest pains, what other symptoms have you had?" He gently went ahead.
"Well... back at Canada it's always been chest pains, but since coming here, I think I developed new symptoms, like a sore throat... and coughs." I explained.
Ever since the restroom incident earlier ago, I've been having sore throats along with my chest pains. Also, the chest pain attacks are supposed to happened when my heart reaches to 175bpm. I don't know why it's bothering now when I'm not even doing exercise. That's why I need to take the pills every four hours. If this continues, I have no choice but return to the hospital
"The sore throat? Can you describe it how it feels?" Edward asked.
"It feels like my throat is burning and my mouth is so dry... Like I am so-"
" Thirsty?" Edward asked, I nodded.
"If you'd like to, I can speak with my father, and he can perform a full examination. Perhaps, he can give you a second opinion?" Edward kindly offered with a smile.
"That's grateful of you, Edward, but I'll take up your offer in case it does cont-"
"Please! I'm sure my father would be very content to see you." Edward begged.
"Dez, this is serious. It's better to go than later regretted." Bella agreed.
Edward seemed a little caught off guard to hear Bella agreed to him. He doesn't know whether to be annoyed for her nosiness or appreciated for the support. I'll admit, Edward and Bella have a valuable point; I've come to appreciate.
"Alright... I'll have to convince George and Evelyn first."
"George and Evelyn?" Edward lowly questioned, his eyes narrowing in suspicious.
" My Guardians." I replied.
"Not your..." Edward stifled his mouth shut, cautioning the next words.
"Parents?" Bella asked him, Edward nodded without looking at her.
"Let's see... If you were in my shoes and woke up on the hospital's bed with no memory. Not knowing who you are? What was your life before? Why did these happen to you? Who are these two strangers standing near your bed and claiming to be your parents?" I looked gravely at them.
"What would you do?" I asked them.
Bella blinked; her face looked unsettled with no explanation to answer my question. Edward, on the other hand, looks like he's thinking of my words. His eyes were focused on mine, searching for any signs into my head.
"So, you don't feel comfortable calling them as your parents?" Bella asked.
"Yeah, I don't." I looked out at the window, realizing it started to pour once again.
"If so, why not just leave?" Edward asked.
"They've been good to me and have helped me to get back on to my feet... for the most part." I mumbled those last words.
Knowing Evelyn is the only one extremely protective of me. Especially, when I meet other strangers. She barely approved for me to be out of the house for school. I hope she'll be able to approve if I can get a job or at least hang out with friends.
"What do you mean for the most part?" Edward asked. I didn't know he heard those last few words; he has sensitive hearing.
"George and Evelyn did hire professional physicians and private tutors for home schooling, but Evelyn is overprotective. She won't let me out of the house or let me outside unless it's groceries shopping with her." I shrugged and slightly raised my arms. "This is the only time she agreed to let me out of the house."
"Doesn't George have a say in this?" Bella asked.
"Sometimes he does, but she's the one wearing the pants." I concluded, Edward and Bella nodded in understanding.
"Still, why can't you just leave?!" Edward continued to push on.
'Does he mean, like escaping from them?' I thought while becoming a little irritated; Edward is now interrogating me.
"Hypothetically... If I would leave, Edward I have nothing. I don't have no money, nowhere to stay, I barely got my driving permits with no car, and I don't have another family out there that I am not aware. Out there..." I pointed outside. " I am nobody!"
Staring longingly at the the window that led to the outside world, thinking over what it would feel like to have such freedom with nothing to worry about. George and Evelyn are the ones who took me under their roof, so I just need to go along with it, for now.
"You're wrong!" Edward silently spoke, nearly angry.
My eyes slowly turned to look at him, he was now glaring at me, almost looking disappointed. Edward bared his teeth at me, they looked white as a snow. I don't understand, why does he say he finds me remarkably interesting, but once I opened to him, he doesn't like the things what I am saying.
'Does Edward Cullen know something that I don't?'
Right on time, the bell finally rang as class ended. Edward at once stood up and smoothly walked out in haste without saying a word. Bella and I looked at each other for a moment, wondering what just happened.
"Are you sure it was a bright idea to opened up to him that easily, even though you've never met him?" Bella asked, gave me a concerned look.
"I don't know..."
Maybe she's right, what would Edward do with this piece of information that I've spoken up? What was my mind thinking?
"Just be careful, okay..." Bella said.
She gathered her things as she was preparing to leave with the rest of the students. I also gathered my stuff but stopped to notice Mike and Angela approaching us with a mixed of concerns and curious.
"What was up with Edward?" Mike asked.
"Don't know, is he always like this?" I asked, but Angela nodded in disagreement.
"No... Edward always seemed calmed and collective." Angela looks at Bella. "I have never seen him give such detest like you, Bella."
"Well, we don't have to worry anymore... we should get to our last period, right Bella?" I changed the subject, seeing Bella is slightly uncomfortable.
Bella blinked. "Right! Gym... let's get to it."
"Wait! That's my next class. Come on, I'll take you folks there." Mike said with enthusiasm.
The four of us walked out of the class together. While we walked through the crowd, I couldn't take off my mind what Edward's last words mean. 'You're wrong? Does he know who I am? Do I have someone out there? Who is that voice inside my head, it almost sound like me'
"Hey Angela, quick questioned before you go?" Bella whispered to her, though I can still hear them.
"Yeah, what's up?" Angela asked.
"Do I... smell?" Bella hesitantly asked, a look of embarrassment.
"No... Why?" Angela asked her, looking at Bella with mused.
"Just wondering..." Bella replied. We bid our farewell to Angela; she had a different class. Mike, Bella, and I continued towards the gym. We see a group of students huddled outside of the hallway near the gym's doors. Among one of those students was none other than Jessica Stanley, who happen to be beaming with a smile once she spotted me.
'Fuck me...'
Edward walks in haste through the hallways, he's been able to control himself with barely minimum effort. Talking with Jackson was the main key and only distraction that can prevent him from attacking Bella. Edward feels extremely guilty for pushing him for more information. He's right though, Edward was indeed interrogating him than being an innocently curiously friend, but he needed a head start to find out further of this mishap. Edward didn't like leaving him there without saying a word, it was a horrible thing to do, but right now; he needs to go and feed.
He pushed through the crowd as he ignored the glaring glances were shot at him. Edward needed to find one of his brothers or sisters and inform them he needed to step out. Luckily, he was able to find the four of them together, standing with a few students outside the restroom. Principle Greene and the genitor were standing outside talking among themselves, the restrooms doorway have a yellow tape with and an Out of Order sign.
'What now?' He thought.
"Alright!" Principle Greene announced to the spectator audience.
"If any of you wish to continue to vandalize school's property, you can say goodbye to your upcoming Spring Dance this year, am I understood?" He angrily looked at each of the students. All the students bemoaned while others nodded eagerly with fear in their eyes.
"Good! Now get to class." Principle Greene then walked away as the crowd began to disperse to their classes. Edward approaches to his siblings.
"What happened?" He asked.
"Someone vandalized one of the sinks in the boy's restroom." Emmett responded.
"What's up with you?" Rosalie asked as she raised her eyebrow at him.
Edward didn't bat an eye on her, he rather not make eye contact with any of them. They will notice his eyes are still black as a lion who has found his lamb. Jasper grimaced in disgust and feels uncomfortable, he realized what Edward is feeling now.
"You need to go hunt." Jasper told him.
Alice, Emmett, and Rosalie looked at Edward in concerned, they finally see his eyes are indeed a sign of hunger. Edward rolled his eyes at Jasper; he will be able to hold his thirst for a little longer before he would run back and attack Bella.
"I know! That's why I need you all to-"
"Ah! The Cullens, good to see you all well-behaved children being together as a family, well done!" Mr. Varner appeared behind Edward.
The Cullens are bewildered to see the least favorite hard ass teacher that Forks High School can provide to be a in a joyful mood. His smile was wide as a cartoon and his eyes are gleeful as a sunshine. Jasper can feel his emotions mixed with piece and serenity. Edward read Mr. Varner's mind and there were no more signs of any animosity holding against them. The Cullens concluded that Mr. Varner is jealous of them, due to being more intelligent than Mr. Varner, even to the point of accusing them of cheating. Today, this is not the case, not anymore.
"I want to sincerely apologize to you all'." Mr. Varner said as his eyes softened.
"Uhm... for what, Mr. Varner?" Alice questioned as she tilted her head.
"I've been accusing you of cheating about your grades. Instead of being a proud instructor to have such brilliance students, such as yourselves. I have been nothing but a selfish moron with vile hatred, please forgive me?" He begged.
Each of the Cullens looked at each other with puzzlement on their faces apart from Edward, who he still has his frown deepened due to holding the hunger. The trio can hear his growl where no human can hear it.
"Ahem!" Rosalie cleared her throat. "We accept your apologies, Mr. Varner, thank you! Have a wonderful day." She concluded, hoping Mr. Varner would move along.
"Like wise, Miss Hale!" Mr. Varner happily strayed away from them.
The Cullens never left their eyes sight on Mr. Varner as he continued to greet every student he met with respect and happiness. Two years have passed since starting in this school and they have never seen him with happy smile, it's almost creepy.
"What. The. Fuck?" Emmett slowly exclaimed while raising his arms.
"He genially feels joyful, I can't feel no sign of anything negative... That's bizarre." Jasper spoke.
"Oh my gosh guys, there he is!" Alice announced in an audible tone.
Jasper, Emmett, and Rosalie stared down at the end of the hallway only to spot Jackson, walking along with a Mike and a simple looking girl they have never seen before. The trio are heading to the gym, possibly having gym together in their last period. Alice begins examined the newly face girl closely. She notices the small features this one resembles in her vision.
'Could it be her?' She thought.
"Yes... It's her, Alice." Edward answered her thoughtful questioned. " She's, my singer."
Jasper, Alice, Emmett, and Rosalie looked at him in shock of this revelation. Each of their faces were mixed, written of emotions with horrified and deeply concerned. At first, they thought he's hungry for not hunting nearly two days, due to all of them trying to find their brother. Now the situation is worse, Edward finding his blood singer in the school's premises.
"Get. Out. At. Once!" Rosalie hissed through her gritted teeth.
"I'm on to it, but I need you all to skip your last period, follow him, and eavesdrop. See if you can get any more information, I already have a head start." Edward raised his finger. "Do not get caught."
Edward straight away left without saying any further. The others nodded in understanding; they knew they would question him later, but right now he needs to take care of his own problem. The Cullens knew a spot where they could eavesdrop their brother, where they won't be caught by staff.
Edward decided to exit into the parking lot near the cafeteria. It is the only school's parking lot that is near the tree line of the forest. He looked around to see if they were any humans standing by, to his reassurance they weren't any, he used his speed once he stepped in a couple of feet after the tree line.
"Edward?!" Carlisle's voice calls out to him.
Edward abruptly stops and looks above to find Carlisle and Esme sitting on top of a supportive tree branch. He didn't even know they were there in the beginning, but then again, his mind is not in the right place. Carlisle jumps down, followed by Esme, his gentle eyes looked at him with concerned.
"Is everything alrig-" Carlisle stops once he notices his son's eyes were the answer to his question.
Carlisle nods. "Don't let me stop you, my son."
"I'll be back after school ends, I promise." Edward then runs off to the wilderness where no human has claimed land.
Esme sighs. "We have not hunted for two days, Carlisle. I shouldn't have pushed you all to find Jackson without thinking the needs of the rest of our children. I'm such a horrible-"
"Don't" Carlisle softly told while wrapping his arms around her waist
"We all agreed to find our boy. Edward can hold his hunger much longer than any of us, but this..." He then looks over at the school. "...something tipped him off."
Desmond Conolly's POV
I sat down on the wooden bleaches working on my homework while everyone else were doing their own exercise activity. A couple of students also sat down, who may have been injured previously or have a doctor's notice, like me. Coach Clapp has been nothing but a cool instructor, he did receive my doctor's notice about my health. He accepted me in his class and considered this as a free period. The only thing he asked for, is to help him pick up the school's gym equipment near the end of the period, to which I happily accepted.
Today's exercise activity is the boys' team basketball and the girls' team volleyball, both practicing in the same gym. Mike is practicing with his team basketball while surpassingly, Jessica, is playing with the girls' volleyball team. Coach Clapp took Bella into his office near the locker rooms, possibly signing her paper as he took my paper as well.
While I was working on my homework assignment, I couldn't take my mind off about Edward's approach. His family has taken an interest in me but was not keen with the answers I gave him. Contemplating whether it was bright idea to open up to a stranger without thinking the possibilities of the danger. The Cullens are just kids, mysterious foster children, but what can possibly go wrong.
"You're very lucky to have a free period." Bella's voice interrupted my thoughts as I looked up to see her holding a pair of clothes.
"Yeah... that's privilege of having a bad condition." I pointed at the clothes she's holding. "What' up with that?"
"My gym uniform." Bella sits next to me as she opens her backpack to put it away, she also hands me my syllabus with the Coach's signature.
"Thanks! You're not going to change and joined with the others?" I asked.
Bella sighs. "No, Coach allowed me to sit on the bleaches for today, but tomorrow I will be joining with the girls' volleyball practice... yay!" She sarcastically exclaimed.
"Not fond with sports?" I softly asked her.
"I'm not good at anything." She spoke.
"What makes you say that?" I asked.
"I have my reasons..." She mumbles.
Bella hugs her knees to her chest and looks down at the floor. I can clearly see this girl has a troubling mind that she would never show any signs. Bella is good at hiding her facial expression, but her choice of words says otherwise. She then looks at me, her eyes softened with sympathy.
"What is it?" I asked.
"You... I'm sorry what you went through. Must be a pain in the ass to have such a horrible condition. You basically have an Old-Man's heart." She sincerely spoke, a chuckled escaped from my lips.
"I know, but I'm quite used to it." I pulled out the prescription bottle. "As I long as I take these puppies every four hours and remember to not exercise to exceed my heartbeat above 175, we'll be good."
"But you haven't done any exercise or any activity, and yet your heart is burning you up." Bell spoke, she wasn't convinced.
"I'll be fine, I promise."
"I think you should take Edward's offer." Bella concluded.
"I don't think he will offer it anymore... he seems pretty pissed off with me too. I don't know why I opened up to him." I put my homework away.
"Well..." Bella shily put a hair strand behind her ear. "You didn't just open up to him only, you were opened up to me too."
"Yeah, I did." I smiled at her.
"Can I ask why?" Bella asked, she slightly leaned forward.
"Perhaps, I've been feeling trapped for quite some time. Isolated for two years without making any friends can really take a toll on you. Maybe, I'm desperate to make friends or at least talk to anybody randomly about my problems. I can't even talk to George or Evelyn about it, I did once, and they just brushed it off." I puffed out in annoyance. "Today was really special, I like to relish it."
"I can relate to that." Bella offered.
"I can tell." I carefully spoke, hoping she won't take any offense.
Bella tilts her head, but smirks. "Do you have theories?"
"I do... If you allow me?"
"Go on." She nodded her head as I took a deep breath.
"You're new to this town, so you must have come to a different place. Either by a sacrifice decision or forced due to economy. I can tell you hate the cold and the rain. In English, you described the rain as tears and sadness. Maybe, you were just referencing what any other writer would symbolize the rain in writing." I leaned towards her.
"But not me..." I whispered and Bella blinked in surprise. "Your incredibly good at shielding your emotions and facial expressions with everyone else, but it's your eyes. Your eyes tell me otherwise, you could be an introvert or insecure with other people. People say the quite folks are the ones that think extremely hard than speaking." Bella stares at me with an astonish look.
"Wow..." She whispers.
"Wait! Am I right?" I asked, but she lightly chuckled.
"Almost!" She laughs. "I'm from Pheonix, Arizona. I used to live with my mom and her new husband, Phil Dwyer. You see he's a minor league baseball player and he's always away most of the time working. My mom dearly missed him all the time. So, I chose to move back here at Forks with Charlie for she can spent with him."
"Charlie?" I asked.
"He's, my dad." I nodded, chose not to question her for calling his name. "My parents used to be childhood sweethearts. They had me after they graduated from high school. I was two years old when they split, and my mom took me to Riverside, California. From there, I took care of my mom most of the time, mostly because she's always adventurous."
Bella sighs as she shakes her head. "I think it's because she missed her teenage years of experience and now, she was missing out her time with her husband. I've decided to sacrifice my happiness until I graduate here at Forks High School, and I can make my own decisions." She shrugged.
"Do you hate this place?" I asked.
"I did visit Charlie once a month. Last time I visited was when I was fourteen back in 2002. I can see why my mom hated it this place, it's always dark and raining all the time, it's almost like your trapped." She concluded.
"Damn! It's selfless of you to do that for your mom. You're basically going through torture until you graduate." I spoke sincerely, but Bella fondly smiles at me.
"I was..." She whispered.
"You were?" Bella nodded, before she extended her hand to me.
"Can I see your phone?" She asked. I reached down my pocket and hand it to her. She started dialing numbers, then soon a muffled buzzing sound was heard. Bella pulled out her phone and started texting her phone before she handed to me. I gazed at my phone for moment.
Desmond: Hi, Bells!
Bella: Well hello there, Dez! ;)
I smiled widely as I gazed at her lovingly. Bella is officially my first friend that I made since getting out of the house, as well as Angela. I should also add her number too if she allowed me. Mike seems okay and Lauren is a pretty cool girl.
"I would like to hang out with you more." Bella spoke. "If you want?"
"I would be delighted." I responded.
My gaze turned back to the court only to caught Jessica. She was just standing there motionless without taking part with girls. Her hands bawled into fist as her jaws clenched in anger, her eyes stared at Bella with loath. It didn't last long until the volleyball hit her head.
"Stanley! Stay on the game!" Coach Clapp yelled at her.
Jessica fixed her hair as she looked between the Coach and Bella while biting her bottom lip in fury. She sides eyed Bella for a moment before joining back into the game, Bella chuckles at her antics.
'Someone's jealous'
However, something above me caught my eye, one of the skylight panels had what appear to be four silhouettes' heads peering through the glass. Immediately, I looked above the roof, but they vanished once I had a clear view. Bella curiously looks above then at me with a confused look on her face.
"What?" She asked.
"I thought I saw something..." I spoke, even though, I knew somebody was watching me.
"That was close!" Emmett commented as they jumped down the gymnasium building without any onlookers.
"Aww, is it possible that he found his mate?" Alice gushes out happily while tip toeing dancing.
"Not a chance!" Rosalie hissed in disapprove, her tone filled with disgust, but towards Jackson.
"Rose, you know he's going to find his mate one way or another. You can't do nothing about it." Alice pointed out.
"That's not his soulmate, that's just puppy love." Rosalie shot back as she crossed her arms to control her anger.
"Are you disgusted at Jackson or at the girl, Bella." Alice asked.
"Her!" Rose hissed.
"Why?" Alice asked.
"Can we get back to the main topic, please?" Jasper interjected.
"Yeah! What type of pills is he taking? Babe, you have two PhD, which makes you a doctor, what is he talking about?" Emmett asked.
Rosalie's face softened from her anger as she frowned in a way of thinking. She walked back and forth for a moment. Rosalie knows that Jackosn did had one condition, but it was nothing to do about a heart pain.
"It could be anything, but I know Little Jacky never had any heart problems. Though, he did have-" Rosalie stops as she bite her bottom lip. She remembers the painful memories when Jackson's cough gave him pain when he was a human. Emmett also knows this as he hugs her from behind.
Alice tapped her finger on to her chin. "Okay... Jasper and I never got to know your history with Jackson before we entered the picture, but I assume he had a fatal condition that would end his life soon to was why he chose to become a vampire in the first place, is my assumption's correct?" Alice asked.
Emmett put his thumb up. "Yup."
"I won't intrude any further." Alice said.
Rosalie mocking looks at her in surprise while placing a hand on her chest. "Oh, my goodness! It is no wonder it has been raining these last few days. Alice not sticking her nose in other people's business, shocking!"
"I do mind my own business too, Rose!" Alice pouts while placing her hands on her hips.
"You and Edward are always peeking on other people's business, all the time!" She shot back.
"Okay! We all should head back to the parking lot, Edward finished hunting and is on his way back." Jasper announced while looking down his phone.
"What! No, tell that fucking idiot to never come back, what is he thinking?" Rosalie hissed, but Jasper warped his arm around his wife's waist and pulled her towards the parking area while Alice sticks her tongue out at Rose like a child.
"Too late, he's on his way." Jasper said.
Rosalie groaned in frustration as she and Emmett followed behind, but not before she looked back at the gymnasium.
'Everything will be fine, Little Jacky, we'll bring you home and everything will be just like we used to' She thought.
Desmond Conolly's POV
Near the end of the period, I did what I promise for Coach Clapp as I picked up the equipment and put them away in the storage with Bella's help. While the students who took part of the activity, were heading back into the lockers to change. Jessica stayed back as she tried to flirt with me in front Bella, but to no avail, I pay less attention to her as she is becoming an irritation at this point.
"Stanley! Quit bugging the new people and get change!" Coach Clapp yelled across the court. Jessica groaned like a child through her teeth, but she soon smiled at me, almost creepily.
"Bye Dezy, see you around!" She winked and left while ignoring Bella; she scoffs the moment Jessica disappears around the corner.
"How come you have so much patience with her?" Bella asked incredibly.
"I should ask you the same?" I pointed out.
"Argh! Fair point." Bella admitted.
"You and I already figured out that she's like a bomb filled with gossip." I raised my finger. "One negative word said to her, and I'll have one and the half-man after me."
"One and a half-man?" She questioned with her eyebrows raised.
"Tyler is one man and Eric is the half-man, I think..." Bella stiffed her laugh as she covered her mouth. She rolled her eyes at me playful.
"You are something else, Dez." She spoke.
"I like to be different." I spoke while shrugging. The last bell finally rang as all students began to leave.
"Let's get out of here and head back to the main office." Bella beckons me and I followed.
We bid our farewell to Coach Clapp and Mike before exiting the gymnasium, we didn't wait for Jessica. Having my first day of school and liberty has been a colorful eventful. This will be one of the most memorable days that I will happily store into my brain. When we entered the primary office, Mrs. Cope smiled warmly at our arrival.
"Well, look it here! I see you two have met and it seems to have become quite friendly with each other." Mrs. Cope commented. "How was your first day?"
"Well... it was..." I thought for moment to come up with the right word.
"Eventful!" Bella interjected.
"Yes! Very eventful." I nodded in agreement.
"Well, that's wonderful! Now hand me over your syllabus." Mrs. Cope extends her hand as we handed her our papers. She examines them for moment before putting them in the cabinet file.
"Have a wonderful afternoon, we'll see you tomorrow you two." Mrs. Cope waved us.
"Like wise, Mrs. Cope!" I called out for her as we both exited the office.
We walked together once again, but in truth I didn't know where to head. I assume Bella was heading to the front door, but we were heading back outside, passing by the courtyard into an accessible area where students parked their personal vehicles near the cafeteria. Out in the distance, in a couple yards there is a forest tree line. Bella and I stopped on top of the stairwell, where it would lead to the parking zone. We looked at each for a moment, contemplating what to say. Truth be told, I didn't want to end it soon.
"See you tomorrow, Bells!" I broke the silence.
"Yeah... see ya, Dez!" She nodded.
I stroked out my hand, expecting to shake her hand, but to my surprise she lunged forward to me. Wrapping her arms around my neck as she laid her head on my shoulder. I blinked a couple of times before my arms slowly embraced around her hips. Bella is less than two inches of my height as she was barely standing with her toes. She felt soft and warm, her hair smelled like strawberry scent shampoo. I could faintly hear she is also smelling my scent, what a girl.
"Thank you for making my life easy." She whispered near my ear.
"It's my pleasure." I sweetly whispered back.
We slowly parted ways, looking at each other's eyes, still at arms linked while smiling. My heart was beating so fast as I have never felt like this before. I don't want to let go and I'm certain I don't want this to end soon.
BZZT-BZZT...
Releasing an annoying sigh was justified in my part. I released Bella as I reached into my pocket and pulled out my phone. Lo and behold, it is none other than George, what a buzz kill he can be. It was a text message.
George: Hey! I'll be there in a couple of minutes. Where do you want me to pick you up?
Desmond: Meet me at the parking lot, near the school's cafeteria at the side of the campus.
George: Alrighty! See you there.
"Sorry, Bella... That was George, he's on his way." I sadly broke the news.
"Oh... well see you then."
Bella waved at me before she descended the stairs into the parking lot. I soon followed too, sometimes glancing at Bella as she is also looking over her shoulder at me. She stopped by near an old red Chevy truck, assuming it's hers, but not a bad choice.
Standing near the curbside while waiting for George, I observed my surroundings and caught a group of kids who I've met so far. They are walking together and respectfully getting inside their own vehicles. Tyler has a blue Chevy van with large rims and thin tires, suitable for his style. Mike drives a large suburban vehicle, possibly belongs to one of his parents. Ben Cheney is driving off with black Dodge Neon with a fender. Jessica is standing near a white Mercury, staring at me with a grin.
Quickly gazing away from her, knowing that she will possibly offer me a ride to which I'm not looking forward. Strange though, I don't see any sign of Angela in the area, perhaps she is being picked up by her parents.
However, there is a group of four kids that I did not expect to be there, it's The Cullens. All were staring down at me with mixed of emotions, written on their faces. The blonde one, Rosalie, or 'The Ice Queen' is what everyone calls her, has a sympathy look with her sad eyes. The big guy, Emmett, has his eyebrows frown like he was carefully watching me. Jasper, the one who bumped into earlier, has painful face like he just stepped on a nail. Lastly, the short pixie girl, Alice, has a face that looks hopeful, but any minute she'll look like she will tear up. So that leaves only one question, where is Edward?
"Desmond?"
Edward's voice calls from behind me as I quickly turned round. He stood tall and confidently with no sign of distress or pain, he seemed relaxed. I honestly feel nervous to talk to him again since he seemed disappointed with me or at least angry.
"Hey Edward" I softly greeted.
"I want to apologize for my behavior at Biology, it was indeed very intrusive and intimated for questioning your life. I've no meaning to disrespect and hope you would forgive me... Please!" Edward sincerely spoke as his eyes stare at you with sympathy.
'Wait a minute? His eyes? They are now amber?' I remember they were distinctly black, what the fuck is going on in this town and what do they want with me?!
"E~M~B~R~A~C~E T~H~E~M"
I shook my head, still perplexed with this voice, my voice, speaking to me. Perhaps I should listen to it, perhaps they are more to it than it meets the eye. I should start acknowledging and investigate on my own for the purpose of this place, where do I lay in all of this. Although, this has never happened before in Canada, but my curiosity does get the better of me.
"Yeah, it's all good Edward, I forgive you." I spoke while smiling, hoping that would put him at ease.
"Terrific, thank you!" Edward said with enthusiasm.
"Geuss, I'll see you tomorrow then." I extend my hand to shake him.
However, to my shock he instantly lunged at me with an embrace, a brotherly hug. His whole body felt like he was made from hard yet soft marble, he is body's temperature is like he just got out of the freezer. Though, it did feel good, almost once again there's that familiarly feeling. My arms slowly embraced around his back as I closed my eyes.
"Everything will be alright, I promise you." Edward whispered.
He releases me while giving me a warm smile. I slowly tilted the corners of my lips as I returned the smile. Never have I felt such reassurance in this last two years. I've been given nothing but false hope.
"One more thing before I leave..." Edward motioned his head towards the rest of his siblings. "...please give my family a chance, you'll never know what you'll be missing out."
I gazed at his siblings, Rosalie and Alice waved eagerly at me with a sad smile while Emmett and Jasper nodded their heads with a half-smile.
"Sure, why not." I agree with chuckle. The rain began to pour lightly once more, this town never ends to rain.
"Excellent! See you around."
Edward slowly walked away from me as he was approaching to join with his family. The moment he came near, they riled him with desperate whispering talk, most likely questioning him about me. Perhaps, my conscious little mind may be right, they do seem like a nice family, and I should start listening to it.
"Jackson!" A women's faintly yell could be heard from the distance.
The Cullens simultaneously turned their heads to the voice, their eyebrows raised then looked at me with concerned. I followed their gaze pass the grass field, then to the tree line of the forest. Squinting my eyes as I scanned the forest line, the rain was not helpful. Almost wanting to give up as the rain was beginning to soak me, until I found them.
A man and a woman, standing under a large, shaded tree with barely any visible to them. The man is blonde with a rolled-up beige sweatshirt and dark grey khaki pants. The women either has brunet or caramel hair, wearing blue blouse shirt and black pants. Both have a sorrow look within their eyes as they are looking at me. He had his hands gripped on both of her arms, like she wanted to run. Was she in danger?
"Jackson!" The women, once again, yelled through the now heavy rain.
I looked around my surroundings to see anyone with that name. Most of the students have left the premises while a few were idling and talking with one another, they can't hear her. I gazed through the rain as the two are still standing there, anxiously waiting, but who, for me?
"M~O~M"
"Mom?" I questioned, but the word may have reached to the couple, who beamed with a smile.
The blonde man released her before she began walking towards me, stepping out of forest. I can now examine her clearly, she looked around Bella's height with a heart shaped face, and she also looks around in her mid-twenties. If being close with Edward felt familiarity, this woman feels quite strong, like a bond that I may have missed. My body ached to run up and hug her. Deep into my heart, I feel genuine happiness and joy. She began to jog through the grass field, but my view of her is now blocked by none other than the toothy grin of George, pulling up in front of me.
"Hey! Sorry, I'm late." George said, rolling down the window of the passenger side, but I ignore him as I looked over the other side of his truck into the grass field, she's gone. The blonde man was also nowhere to be found in the forest. I gazed over to see The Cullens now leaving with their vehicles in haste.
"Hey buddy, are you okay?" George asked as he rolled down his window.
"I think so..." I whisper while shaking my head.
"Well then get in before you're going to catch a cold." He said while opening the passenger's door. "...and I don't want Evelyn to chew me out."
Slowly making my way to the passenger's side while looking around for the mysterious couple. Once I entered the vehicle, I noticed there is a stack of pizzas on the back seat, I questionably looked at George.
"Evelyn won't be home tonight." He explained with a shrug.
We began to drive off the parking lot as we got on Spartan Avenue Road. Everyone is driving cautiously as the rain is now pouring heavy, making visibility difficult to drive on the road. George can only see within fifteen feet in front of him with the other headlights from vehicles.
"So, how's school?" He asked.
"It was great! I made a few friends, and classes were quite interesting." I explained while not giving away one those friends is a girl I came to like, Bella.
It's not because I don't trust George, it's probably because of Evelyn. My time with her while shopping for groceries, Evelyn would give dirty looks towards girls who were flirting with me and she would recommend me, no, she command me to not date any girl. I honestly don't know why she has a problem with me dating.
"That's good... was there anything else that happened?" He suspiciously asked.
"Uhm... one teacher pissed me off, nothing serious." I didn't lie, but I knew that's not what George wanted to hear.
I'm aware the watch gave out my location on GPS, like he said, but by experience with them. My gut feeling is telling me the watch must have also given out my bps readings to them. I didn't want to tell him what happened in the Mr. Varner's class, the restroom incident with the sink, and the continues sore throats. That would put them on edge and worriedness, possibly not allowing me outside anymore. I needed to play my cards right and act naturally.
"Really? Is that all?" George carefully asked.
"Mhm." I nodded.
"All for a teacher to spike up your readings, that's weird..." He mumbled lowly.
'Bingo!'
"What?" I fake questioned him.
"Oh nothing." He causally said, but I knew that will be noted in my brain.
George managed to get on US-101, heading up north. Traffic now appeared to be less the moment we drove away from the town's perimeter. However, in my passenger's door rear-view mirror, three vehicles are a couple of meters from behind us. They looked luxurious and out of character to be in town like this. The first vehicle on the lead was a four-door black Mercedees, while the second was a two-door silver Volvo, leaving lastly a two-door red BMW with convertible roof.
"What are you looking at?" George asked.
"It's nothing... Hey, didn't you said I have a gift, right?" I asked, while changing the subject.
George smiled at me as he reached into the glove compartment and took out a pair of keys. He tossed them to me as I easily catch them. Examining it, they looked like any other keys, until it had four letters; JEEP.
'No fucking way!'
"We were supposed to surprise it for you, but exception can be made." George happily said.
"Thank you!" I honestly said, this means I can drive on my own.
"It's waiting for you at the garage, bought it off from one of the neighbors."
"How did you-"
"I've convinced Evelyn that you need to enjoy life outside of the house more often, but you must be near Forks, Port Angeles and any of the beaches near the town. No Seatle! That's big no, no." He added.
"Okay! Evelyn is going to chew you off for giving to me so early." I chuckled.
"Like I said, exceptions can be made." George waved me off.
The Calawah river bridge appeared on our view as I gazed at my rear-view mirror, the three vehicles still on our tales. However, the moment we crossed the bridge, all three vehicles simultaneously stopped at the side of the road before crossing the bridge.
'That's strange, why did they stop and didn't cross the bridge?'
"No!" Esme shrieked in horror.
She began to run on foot with her speed, only to be stopped by Carlisle before crossing the bridge. Rosalie also wanted to cross, but was stopped by Edward, who was much faster than any of the family. Thankfully, they're no onlookers, or humans, to see this as they are the only ones standing at the side of the road in the rain. Emmett soon joined with Edward to hold his wife before she does anything stupid. Jasper and Alice looked mortified as they see the truck driving further into the zone.
"Edward! Get your hands off me!" Rosalie hissed in anger as she began to swing at him.
"We can't cross!" Carlisle firmly yelled.
"Carlisle! They are going to tear him apart!" Esme wail through the rain.
"It's no wonder we couldn't find him, he's living in the one territory where we can't step on!" Jasper exclaimed.
"What happens if they find out, Carlisle?" Emmett asked as he was able to control his wife.
Carlisle knew exactly what would happen if they did find out, but hoping they would see that he's at least human and no one gets hurt by him. Hoping they wouldn't be going to war; he looks over the sign before the bridge.
Quileute Tribal Center
20 Miles