I tried to stay awake, but the more I struggled, the heavier my eyelids became. My eyes felt burdened by the lack of sleep, each blink a small battle against exhaustion.
The brown thermal turtleneck top clung to me like a second skin, providing both warmth and a sense of security, while Dad's old, baggy college sweater served as an impromptu pillow, its familiar scent enveloping me in a cocoon of comfort. Paired with black jeans that hugged my curves, I felt both snug and stylish, despite being stuck with combat boots instead of my usual long boots, which Angela had borrowed.
Overall, I felt cozy and tempted to skip the first few classes to catch up on sleep in the car. Angela, however, had seen my tiredness and taken charge, driving us to school herself. Without access to the car keys, I had no excuse to doze off during class.
I knew I should feel annoyed or give Angela a dirty look for depriving me of my potential nap, but I was too fatigued to muster any emotion.
"This is what happens when you decide to read those journals that Mom banned us from reading," Angela nagged, her tone familiarly admonishing.
It was typical of her to lecture me on what I was doing wrong or warn me of the consequences that would inevitably incur Mom's wrath, once - or, as I often emphasized,if- she found out.
"El!" Angela snapped, bringing the car to a halt near Eric's old Honda Civic.
The silver color had faded over time, giving the car a drab, almost dirty beige appearance that made me cringe.
"Are you even listening?" She tilted her head, pushing her glasses up the bridge of her nose in frustration.
I sighed, mumbling a quick "No." and leaning my head against the window.
Angela groaned, clearly irritated with me. As her impatience washed over me, I felt a surge of curiosity emanating from her, no doubt wondering what had captivated me about the journals I had managed to sneak away and read. This time, it was my turn to glare at her. She was disturbing my peace without even realizing it. I couldn't relax knowing someone was paying too much attention to me.
"What?" I snapped back.
Angela winced, clearly taken aback by my sharp tone. It was rare for me to be sleep-deprived; I usually hit the hay early and rise with the sun. But when I was tired, I became acutely aware of my irritability, and my typically restrained bluntness broke free like a caged animal unleashed and set ablaze.
"What did you find in those journals?" Angela's voice was timid, barely audible, betraying her curiosity despite her apparent apprehension. I rolled my eyes, shrugging before closing them again, desperate to squeeze in a few more precious moments of sleep before the bell or Angela decided it was time to move on.
"Just the usual Brujeria talk Grandma used to tell us about." My words trailed off into a mumble, but who could blame me? I was exhausted. I felt Angela shift her focus to something else in front of us, but I didn't care enough to look.
"Bella's here," she paused, the sound of keys being taken out of the ignition audible. "I think I'll go talk to her about yesterday." Another pause followed, waiting for me to volunteer, but I didn't.
Angela sighed, noticing I hadn't moved from my position. I kept my eyes closed, fully aware of her fumbling with the keys, a nervous habit of hers before she did something she really didn't want to do.
Suddenly, the car alarm jolted me from my light slumber. With a quick snap, my eyes flew open. I didn't even glance at Angela as I snatched the keys from her still-fumbling hands, almost knocking her glasses off her face in the process.
To say I was pissed was an understatement. Within seconds, I managed to prevent the alarm from blasting any further. Glaring at Angela, who was attempting to apologize and explain it wasn't intentional, I felt fully awake now, any hope of sleep slipping away.
I grabbed my backpack, slamming the car door shut behind me. Anyone who dared to meet my dark glare head-on quickly averted their gaze, pretending to focus on something else or simply looking down, unwilling to risk being chewed out by me.
I knew I shouldn't have been so harsh with Ang, knowing she tends to take things personally. Deep down, I was aware that I was more at fault for not sleeping when I should have, but in that moment, my brain refused to accept it. It was an overreaction, yes, but at that moment, I just wanted some sleep.
I could hear Angela getting out of the car as well, her apologies still trailing behind her, but I didn't care to forgive her. Instead, I responded by locking the doors and hoisting my backpack onto both my shoulders, determinedly making my way towards the appealing figure of Bella Swan. She had parked her car far away from the peering and loud individuals that Ang associated with.
I knew that by approaching Bella, Angela would likely take the hint and gracefully exit the awkward conversation. While Angela was inherently kind and friendly to everyone, she wasn't the type to forcefully engage in conversation with others. In fact, she tended to be more awkward than average around new people.
As I closed the distance between us, the palpable chill in the air seemed to amplify. Nevertheless, seeing Bella standing beside her old Chevy red truck filled me with a sense of relief. As I approached, the truck's faded paint became more apparent, yet it carried an aura of being well-loved over the years.
Bella noticed me before her gaze flickered towards where I had come from, her warm smile greeting me. We exchanged pleasantries, the biting cold nipping at our faces, keeping me more awake than before.
"I'm guessing from Angela's flushed face it was your guys' car blaring," Bella remarked, her voice laced with amusement. I sighed, feeling a twinge of annoyance, before leaning against her car. My fingers absently traced over the pigtail braids I had hastily done to sleep in last night, too lazy to undo them.
"It was an accident. Angela wanted to see how you were doing," I replied, casting a glance towards where my sister was. She was engrossed in conversation with Eric and a few friends she had made in the journalism class.
Jessica, part of the group huddled around my sister, noticed my gaze and shot me an irritated glare, silently mouthing a'fuck you.'It was evident that Angela was recounting what had happened. I rolled my eyes at Jessica, sending her a smirk that only seemed to infuriate her further, much to my satisfaction.
Bella chuckled softly. "She really hates you, huh?" she remarked, observing the interaction. I shrugged, meeting Bella's gaze. Her dark hair cascaded in its natural wave, and her lips pursed in thought.
"Ehh, it's mutual. I think we have an understanding not to mess with Angela - she's like neutral ground or something." Bella seemed puzzled by my explanation, but I didn't feel compelled to elaborate further. While Jess and I weren't friends by any stretch of the imagination, she wasn't a terrible person, especially when it came to Angela.
The silence between us was palpable, punctuated only by the rhythmic tapping of Bella's fingers on her school books. Her focus seemed to waver, and after a few moments, she abruptly closed the book.
"Uhmm..." she hesitated, uncertainly lacing her voice. I turned my full attention to her, raising an eyebrow to prompt her to speak now or forever hold her peace. "D-Do you know if Edward ever had a problem with anyone at the school?" she finally asked. Her question caught me off guard, and I raised an eyebrow, taken aback by the randomness of it. Edward Cullen wasn't exactly a hot topic in my conversations.I shrugged, trying to answer as truthfully as possible.
"I'm not so sure; I don't pay attention to drama concerning anyone," I admitted, my words sincere. Seeing her crestfallen look, I added, "But if you want, I can ask around." I stood up straight, the cold air biting through my thin clothing. The anger that had gripped me earlier seemed to dissipate as quickly as it had come, replaced by my stomach twisting into heavy knots. I paused, realizing all of Bella's focus was on the Cullens entering the school.
Rosalie was driving a sleek cherry-red Mercedes convertible, the vibrant color standing out against the usual dull palette of the school parking lot. At the same time, the Cullen boys arrived in a silver Jeep, its size and bulk mirroring Emmett's own imposing presence. These cars were a departure from the silver Volvo they typically drove, making them even more conspicuous. I furrowed my eyebrows, my gaze scanning each member of the Cullen family.
Although families in Forks had their quirks and charms, the Cullens were the very embodiment of vogue models, as if they had just stepped off a high-fashion shoot or were in the middle of filming a glamorous ad. Their otherworldly beauty and perfect poise set them apart in a way that was almost surreal. Alice was the last to emerge from the Mercedes, her petite frame almost ethereal. She clung to Jasper's arm, her movements graceful and fluid. As she looked over her shoulder, she caught sight of Bella and me, a small, knowing smile playing on her lips. It was as if she sensed our attention and found amusement in it.
Bella turned her focus back to me, seemingly oblivious to Alice's observant glance or choosing not to acknowledge it. But I couldn't shake the feeling that Alice knew exactly what we were discussing. Her smile lingered in my mind, adding another layer of mystery to the already enigmatic family.
The cold air continued to nip at my skin, keeping me alert despite my fatigue. "What were you saying?" Bella asked, returning to our conversation as she grabbed her backpack and shoved her books inside. I tightened my grip on mine, trying to focus.
I cleared my throat. "I can check to see if Edward has any problems with anyone, but he seems pretty nice-ish." I trailed off as Bella tensed, her discomfort piquing my curiosity even more. Sensing her uneasiness, I gently touched her shoulder to comfort her. "What happened yesterday?" I asked as we began our trek to the schoolyard.
"What do you mean?" she replied, trying to play dumb. I knew that move all too well and was a master at it myself. I paused before her locker, watching her closely.
"You seemed upset. Was it Edward? Did he say or do anything to make you upset?" Bella shrugged, placing a few books inside her locker and keeping some for class. I had to remind myself that Bella wasn't like Jessica—she didn't crave the spotlight, nor was she comfortable opening up about herself, especially regarding her move here or any minor problems she might have. If she did have any, pressing her for details wouldn't help her open up quickly, so I did what I knew best: I minded my own business. This time, I nodded. "Listen, if you don't want to talk about it, I won't force it out of you. Just know I'm here to talk if you want. I'll see you in class—" I was about to leave when Bella slammed her locker shut loudly, drawing the attention of several students.
She blushed at the sudden attention, then grabbed my arm and led me away from the peering eyes of the other students. Her long fingers pressed into my forearm, pulling me towards the secluded buildings commonly used for sneaky make-out sessions or smoking.
"I think it's just me, but I felt like he couldn't bear sitting next to me in Biology," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. She let go of my arm and fidgeted with the sleeve of her jacket, her discomfort palpable. I licked my lips, pondering why Edward would act that way.
"Did he say anything?" Bella shook her head, her chestnut-like eyes searching my face for any hint that she might be the problem. I shifted my weight to my right leg, trying to piece together why he would behave that way towards the new girl. It didn't make any sense.
"He didn't say anything, and when I went into the office, he was trying to change classes. It felt like I was the reason he wanted to leave the class so badly," Bella confessed, her voice tinged with uncertainty. I shook my head, trying to rationalize Edward's behavior.
"It's probably not you," I paused, trying to think of any reason that might explain his actions. "Maybe he has severe social anxiety? I don't know if you've noticed, but he only hangs out with his family," I said, recalling bits of gossip from Jessica and others. "Remember, they're all adopted. No one knows what happened to their biological parents. Maybe his anxiety stems from that?" I suggested, though I had a nagging suspicion there was more to the Cullens' reclusive nature. "Or they could be in a cult or something crazier," I joked, trying to lighten the mood. Bella's deadpan expression told me she didn't find it funny. "C'mon," I nudged her, hoping to ease her mind away from Edward's odd reaction. "From what you're saying, you didn't do anything wrong, Bella. Maybe it's just him?"
She shrugged, brushing her hair away from her face. "Maybe you're right," she said, though she didn't seem convinced. We began walking down the hallway toward our classes. An idea struck me, and despite my reluctance, I felt compelled to offer.
"Look, you're not the only one who gets weird vibes from the Cullens. We can snoop around to ease our minds, but I have to warn you—people who snoop usually don't find anything they like. In fact, they often find the opposite of what they expected." Bella's eyes widened slightly, and I could see the wheels turning in her head.
The bell rang, its sharp sound urging students to head to class. My anxiety spiked at the thought of being late, even though not long ago, I had considered skipping the first two classes to sleep in the car. The keys around my neck suddenly felt heavy on their lanyard. "Let's talk more later," I said absent-mindedly, starting to climb the stairs to Spanish class.
I didn't hear Bella's response, my mind already shifting to the familiarity of the classroom where I knew what to expect. As I walked away, I couldn't shake the feeling that this curiosity about the Cullens would lead us somewhere we wouldn't be able to get out of. As if confirming my thoughts, the lingering knots in my stomach tightened.
Once at the gym, Bella and I talked more about Edward's weird behavior. We were sitting on the bleachers since I had bruised my hip so badly that I had a note excusing me from participating in gym classes for a while.
Bella, on the other hand, had the golden card of being notoriously clumsy, leading the teachers to decide it was safer for her to sit out of potentially hazardous activities. We were both decked out in the school's gym uniform: red baggy shorts and oversized gray t-shirts emblazoned with the school's name. My once pristine white sneakers were now a grimy gray, matching the bleachers we sat on. Bella was smarter about her footwear, sporting black athletic shoes that looked worn but not faded. I tapped my shoes together rhythmically as I leaned back on the bleachers, my feet propped up on the seat in front of us.
"It's not much, but apparently, they don't talk to anyone in other classes unless they're forced to be paired up for school work or the occasional greeting," I shared, my voice tinged with frustration. "From what Angela heard, they're brilliant as well. Not overly smart but enough to be high-ranked academically." I added sourly.
When Angela informed me about Edward, I had expected someone with severe social anxiety, maybe a dork who couldn't even converse properly. So, it was to my shock and great annoyance when she mentioned that Edward was close to my school ranking. It didn't sit well with me. If anything, it rubbed me the wrong way how he would smirk at me each time we finished our quizzes simultaneously.
The conversation lulled as we watched the other students. The gym echoed with the sounds of sneakers squeaking on the floor and basketballs bouncing. Bella turned to me again, her expression a mix of curiosity and concern.
"Do you think we should keep digging?" I glanced at her, weighing the potential consequences.
"I don't know. Part of me wants to know what's going on, but another part is wary. Like I said earlier, people who snoop usually find things they don't like." I pursed ny lips, annoyance once again washing over me.
Bella nodded, watching our class run laps around the court. "Are Angela and you okay? You guys seemed to be avoiding each other this morning," she mentioned. I was now aware of how closely observant Bella was—more so than I gave her credit for. I wrinkled my nose in distaste, recalling my behavior this morning.
Angela seemed genuinely happy when I spoke to her during the passing period, which was much calmer than before. Did I apologize? Nope. But we never apologized to one another; we just moved on.
Seeing how glad she was that I wasn't upset with her made my stomach sink. I rarely got upset with her, but when I did, it wasn't for long, nor was it over something worth holding a grudge. However, Ang is notorious for holding grudges, which is ironic given how nice she is with others.
"We're sisters. We usually get over things pretty quickly."
Bella raised an eyebrow. "Usually?" It wasn't a question I needed to answer, but with Bella, I didn't feel the need to seclude her from my lonesome circle. I could already hear Mom's voice in the background, gloating that I was finally making friends instead of tagging along with Angela and her imbeciles.
"Believe it or not, I'm not the one you should watch out for when it comes to holding grudges. Angie is." Bella snorted, finding it hard to believe, given how quick I am to anger versus Ang. I smiled back, laughing with her. Bella's smile slowly faded as she pondered over our conversation.
"So basically, what you've found out is that Edward gets along with everyone?"
I bit my lip, "That's what it sounds like." Bella's eyes darkened with determination, and her hand found its way to my left shoulder, squeezing it.
"Then I'll have no choice but to confront him." She seemed dead set on doing that. I licked my lips, thinking of a way to let her know she was better off not confronting a guy who was praised by girls and apparently by teachers.
"Do you think maybe you should wait it out? Maybe the dude will apologize?" It wasn't a question.
From the look she was giving me, to the thin line her lips were beginning to shape into, she had made up her mind. Edward was going to hear from her. The question was when.